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Essentials  in  Library  Administration 


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lESSENTIALS  IN  LIBRARY 
ADMINISTRATION 


COMPILED  BY 

MISS  L.  E.  STEARNS 

IViscoiiain  Free  Library  Commission 


SECOND  EDITION 


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I  American  Hibvatp  association  ^ublis^ing  5ioatb 
T8  E.  WASHINGTON  STREET,  CHICAGO 


1912 


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http:7/www.archive.org/details/essentialsinlibr00steaiala 


LIBRARY  HANDBOOK  No.  1 

ESSENTIALS  IN  LIBRARY 
ADMINISTRATION 


COMPILED  BY 

MISS  L.  E.  STEARNS 

Wisconsin  Free  Library  Commission 


SECOND  EDITION 


JSmertcan  JLihxsixp  !Sl£(£eoctatton  $ul)lts(i)tng  iBoarll 

78  E.  WASHINGTON  STREET.  CHICAGO 

1912 


57fe. 


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INTRODUCTION  TO  SECOND  EDITION 

This  tract  is  compiled,  witli  modifications  and  additions, 
from  the  Handbook  of  Library  Organization  of  the  Library 
Commissions  of  Minnesota,  Iowa,  and  Wisconsin,  permis- 
sion having  been  given  by  the  oflScers  of  the  Minnesota 
State  Library  Commission,  editors,  for  which  grateful  ac- 
knowledgment is  herewith  tendered.  Thanks  are  also  due 
Miss  Julia  E.  Elliott,  Chicago,  111.,  and  the  staff  of  the  Uni- 
versity of  Illinois  Library  School  for  valuable  assistance. 

The  tract  is  intended  to  supplement  two  of  the  Library 
Tracts  previously  issued  by  the  Publishing  Board — "Why 
Do  We  Need  a  Public  Library?"  and  "How  to  Start  a  Public 
Library,"  to  which  attention  is  invited.  It  is  addressed 
primarily  to  the  untrained  librarian  and  to  library  trustees. 
For  further  information  the  librarian  is  referred  to  Hints 
to  Small  Libraries,  by  Mary  W.  Plummer. 

L.  E.  Steabns. 

Madison,  Wisconsin 
April,  1912 


70104(5 


ORGANIZATION 

NECESSITY  FOR  FREE  LIBRARIES 

If  it  is  the  duty  of  the  state  to  give  each  future  citizen 
an  opportunity  to  learn  to  read,  it  is  equally  its  duty  to 
give  each  citizen  an  opportunity  to  use  that  power  wisely 
for  himself  and  the  state.  Wholesome  literature  can  be 
furnished  to  all  the  readers  in  a  community  at  a  fraction 
of  the  cost  necessary  to  teach  them  to  read,  and  the  power 
to  read  may  then  become  a  means  to  a  life-long  education. 
A  library  is  an  essential  part  of  a  broad  system  of  educa- 
tion, and  a  community  should  think  it  as  discreditable  to 
be  without  a  well-conducted  free  public  library  as  to  be 
without  a  good  school. 

The  books  that  a  boy  reads  for  pleasure  do  more  to  deter- 
mine his  ideals  and  shape  his  character  than  the  text-books 
he  studies  in  the  schools.  Bad  and  indifferent  literature  is 
now  so  common  that  the  boys  will  have  some  sort  of  read- 
ing. If  they  have  a  good  public  library  they  will  read 
wholesome  books  and  learn  to  admire  Washington,  Lincoln 
and  other  great  men.  Without  a  library  many  of  them  will 
gloat  over  the  exploits  of  depraved  men  and  women,  and 
their  earliest  ambitions  will  be  tainted. 

Each  town  needs  a  library  to  furnish  more  practice  in 
reading  for  the  little  folks  in  school;  it  needs  it  to  give  the 
boys  and  girls  who  have  learned  to  read  a  taste  for  whole- 
some literature  that  informs  and  inspires;  it  needs  it  as  a 
center  for  an  intellectual  and  spiritual  activity  that  shall 
leaven  the  whole  community  and  make  healthful  and  inspir- 
ing themes  the  burden  of  the  common  thought — substitut- 
ing, by  natural  methods,  clean  conversation  and  literature 

8 


4  ESSENTIALS  IN  LIBRARY  ADMINISTRATION 

for  petty  gossip,  scandal  and  oral  and  printed  teachings  In 
vice. 

Libraries  are  needed  to  furnish  the  incentive  and  the 
opportunity  for  wider  study  to  the  pupils  of  the  schools;  to 
teach  them  the  science  and  art  of  reading  for  a  purpose, 
to  give  the  boy  and  girl  with  hidden  talent  the  chance  to 
discover  and  develop  it;  to  give  to  the  mechanic  and  arti- 
san a  chance  to  know  what  their  ambitious  fellows  are 
doing;  to  give  to  men  and  women,  weary  and  worn  from 
treading  a  narrow  round,  excursions  in  fresh  and  delightful 
fields;  to  give  to  clubs  for  study  and  amusement  material 
for  better  work,  and,  last  but  not  least,  to  give  wholesome 
employment  to  all  classes  for  those  idle  hours  that  wreck 
more  lives  than  any  other  cause. 

HOW  TO  AROUSE  AND  USE  LOCAL  INTEREST 

The  necessity  of  a  library  should  be  urged  through  the 
local  press,  upon  the  platform  and  by  private  appeals.  In- 
clude in  the  canvass  all  citizens,  irrespective  of  creed,  busi- 
ness or  politics,  whether  educated  or  illiterate.  To  ignore 
any  class  is  to  imply  its  indifference  to  education,  and 
frequently  to  make  its  leaders  hostile  when  they  might  be 
made  enthusiastic  friends.  Enlist  the  support  of  the  teach- 
ers, and,  through  them,  of  the  children  and  parents.  Liter- 
ary societies,  Chautauqua  circles,  and  debating  clubs  should 
be  earnest  champions  of  the  movement.  The  local  news- 
papers will  be  found  to  be  a  powerful  agency  in  enlisting 
and  sustaining  interest  in  the  measure. 

When  the  interest  of  the  public  is  aroused,  get  a  small 
meeting  of  influential  workers,  make  a  careful  study  of  the 
law  relating  to  libraries,  and  decide  upon  some  definite  plan 
of  action.  A  free  library,  supported  by  taxation,  must  be 
maintained  by  the  common  council.  Usually  the  members 
of  such  bodies  are  very  willing  to  follow  public  sentiment 
in  founding  public  enterprises,  but,  like  all  other  human 
beings,  they  are  governed  somewhat  by  their  prejudices, 
and  should  be  approached  by  people  whom  they  respect, 


ESSENTIALS  IN  LIBRARY  ADMINISTRATION  5 

who  have  tact  and  good  judgment.  An  enthusiastic  but 
tactless  hobby-rider  may  undo  months  of  careful  work.  In 
most  cities  where  libraries  have  been  started  the  citizens 
have  raised  a  fund  or  bought  a  collection  of  books  and 
offered  them  to  the  public  if  the  council  would  agree  to 
found  a  permanent  library.  This  is  ordinarily  the  easiest 
way  to  secure  one. 

BOARD  OF  DIRECTORS 

A  library  is  usually  governed  by  a  board  of  trustees  or 
directors,  who  outline  the  general  policy,  appoint  the  libra- 
rian and  assistants,  authorize  expenditures,  and  sometimes 
select  the  books. 

There  is  a  very  general  impression  that  directors  of  a 
library  board  should  necessarily  belong  to  some  one  of  the 
learned  professions  whose  members  are  presumed  to  be 
book  lovers.  The  management  of  a  public  library  involves 
the  exercise  of  many  kinds  of  intelligence  and  ability  be- 
sides those  used  in  the  judgment  of  books.  Directors  may 
quite  as  wisely  be  selected — a  part  of  the  number,  at  least — 
because  of  eminence  in  executive  ability,  in  business  sagac- 
ity, in  unblemished  integrity,  in  political  power,  as  for 
mere  literary  knowledge.  The  library,  in  fulfilling  its  high- 
est functions,  will  constantly  be  thrown  into  relations  with 
the  community  which  will  bring  each  one  of  these,  and 
other  practical  qualities  into  active  use.  In  addition  to 
qualifications  along  some  of  the  lines  mentioned,  the  pos- 
session of  that  tolerant  temper  which  allows  a  man  or 
woman  to  work  harmoniously  and  effectively  as  a  member 
of  a  board,  where  individual  opinions  and  desires  must 
always  be  balanced  and  modified  by  the  will  and  wisdom 
of  the  majority,  is  also  a  very  necessary  endowment  for 
such  a  position.  Many  library  boards  have  women  among 
their  members.  In  some  boards  the  women  are  the  most 
eflScient  members.  The  bane  of  many  boards  are  the  re- 
spectable citizens  who  are  reappointed  from  term  to  term, 
and  constantly  neglect  their  duties.  A  member  of  a  library 
board  who  cannot,  or  will  not,  attend  its  meetings  and 


6  ESSENTIALS  IN  LIBRARY  ADMINISTRATION 

give  adequate  time  to  its  work  should  resign,  or  should  not 
be  reappointed  when  his  term  expires. 

BY-LAWS    SUGGESTED    FOB    BOABDS    OF    DIBECTOBS    OF    SMALI. 
PUBLIC    LIBEABIES 

By-Laws  of  the  Board  of  Trustees  of  the  Fiee  Library  of 


1.  Officebs — The  officers  of  the  board  shall  be  a  Presi- 
dent, Vice  President  and  Secretary,  who  shall  be  elected 
annually  from  their  own  members. 

The  President  shall  perform  the  duties  generally  per- 
taining to  that  office. 

The  Vice  President  shall,  in  the  absence  or  disability  of 
the  President,  perform  all  the  duties  of  the  President. 

The  Secretary  shall  record  all  the  official  actions  of  the 
board  and  have  custody  of  all  its  official  books,  records  and 
accounts  except  those  in  current  use  by  another  officer. 

2.  Meetings — The  regular  meetings  of  the  board  shall 

be  on  the  (third  Monday)  of  each  month  at p.  m.  at 

the  library. 

The  annual  meeting  shall  be  on  the 

Special  meetings  shall  be  called  by  the  President  or  by 
request  of  any  two  trustees  for  the  transaction  only  of 
business  stated  in  the  call. 

members  of  the  board  and members  of  any 

standing  committee  shall  constitute  a  quorum. 

3.  Committees — At  the  annual  meeting  the  President 
shall  appoint  standing  committees  as  follows :  A  committee 
of  three  members  on  library,  a  committee  of  three  members 
on  finance  and  a  committee  of  four  members  on  rooms. 

The  committee  on  library  shall  supervise  the  selection, 
buying,  exchange  and  binding  of  books  and  periodicals,  and 
have  general  supervision  of  the  administration  of  the 
library  and  reading  room.  Lists  of  books  for  purchase 
amounting  to  over  $25  shall  be  submitted  to  a  full  meeting 
of  the  board  for  approval. 

The  finance  committee  shall  have  charge  of  all  library 
finances,  examine  and  report  upon  all  bills  against  the 
board,  and  make  an  annual  investigation  of  and  report  upon 
the  library  fund  in  the  hands  of  the  City  (or  Village) 
Treasurer. 

The  committee  on  rooms  shall  have  general  charge  of 
the  heating,  lighting  and  arrangement  of  the  rooms,  and 
the  care  of  the  fixtures  and  furniture. 


ESSENTIALS  IN  LIBRARY  ADMINISTRATION  7 

4.  Claims — All  claims  against  the  board  must  be  pre- 
sented at  a  meeting  of  the  board  and  referred  to  the  com- 
mittee on  finance  for  investigation  and  report.  The  Presi- 
dent and  the  Secretary  shall  draw  orders  upon  the  City  (or 
Village)  Treasurer  for  the  payment  of  bills  which  the  board 
orders  paid. 

5.  Librarian — The  Librarian  shall  have  charge  of  the 
library  and  reading-room  and  be  responsible  for  the  care 
of  the  books  and  other  library  property;  classify  and  ar- 
range all  books  and  publications  and  keep  the  same  cata- 
loged according  to  such  plans  as  may  be  approved  by  the 
board;  promptly  report  any  delinquencies  to  the  committee 
on  library;  keep  exact  account  of  all  moneys  received  from 
fines  and  other  sources  and  report  the  amounts  to  the  board 
at  its  regular  meetings  in  January,  April,  July  and  October 
and  pay  all  balances  to  the  Secretary  at  the  designated 
meetings,  and  discharge  such  other  duties  as  may  be  pre- 
scribed by  the  board,  provided  that  in  the  performance  of 
his  duties  he  shall  not  incur  debt  or  liability  of  any  kind 
without  express  authority  from  the  board. 

Notes — When  the  Librarian's  receipts  from  fines  are  light 
he  may  be  allowed  to  retain  them  for  some  time  and  to 
pay  very  small  bills,  for  postage,  etc.,  from  them.  When 
settling  with  the  Secretary  he  may  pay  the  full  amounts 
and  be  given  an  order  for  the  amount  of  his  expenditures. 
The  Secretary  should  pay  the  balance  to  the  City  Treasurer 
before  the  time  for  the  annual  meeting  and  report. 

When  a  library  board  receives  considerable  sums  of 
money  from  subscription  or  other  sources  than  public  taxa- 
tion, it  may  be  advisable  for  it  to  elect  a  Treasurer  from 
its  own  members.  In  such  cases  that  ofl5cer  should  give 
adequate  bonds. 

The  state  library  laws  should  be  consulted  that  the  above 
rules  may  not  conflict  therewith. 


THE  LIBRARIAN 

The  usefulness  of  the  library  will  depend  upon  its  libra- 
rian and  the  greatest  care  should  be  exercised  in  selecting 
that  officer.  She  should  be  engaged  even  before  the  gen- 
eral character  of  the  library  and  plan  of  administration 
have  been  determined.  She  should  have  culture,  executive 
ability,  tact,  sympathy  for  children  and  some  knowledge 
of  library  methods.  Save  money  in  other  ways  but  never 
by   employing   a   forceless   man   or   woman   as   librarian. 


8  ESSENTIALS  IN  LIBRARY  ADMINISTRATION 

Trained  librarians  are  the  best,  but  if  you  have  but  little 
money  and  must  be  content  to  employ  some  local  applicant 
without  experience,  insist  that  the  appointee  shall  imme- 
diately make  an  intelligent  study  of  library  methods  in 
some  good  library,  in  a  summer  school  of  library  science 
or  in  a  library  school.  She  should  become  imbued  with 
the  "library  spirit"  and  be  keenly  alive  to  the  tremendous 
possibilities  of  her  work.  She  should  learn  how  to  get  help 
from  other  librarians,  and  from  the  vast  store  of  library 
experience  found  in  books,  when  she  is  puzzled  by  profes- 
sional problems. 

Few  persons  in  a  community  have  as  great  opportunities 
as  the  librarian.  She  may  shape  the  reading,  and  so  the 
thoughts,  of  hundreds  of  impressionable  children.  She 
should  be  a  leader  and  a  teacher,  earnest,  enthusiastic  and 
intelligent.  She  should  be  able  to  win  the  confidence  of 
children  and  wise  to  lead  them  by  easy  stages  from  good 
books  to  the  best.  Children  and  the  best  children's  books 
should  be  her  constant  associates  and  friends.  When  a 
board  of  directors  can  secure  such  a  librarian,  they  may 
wisely  afford  to  employ  her,  even  if  her  salary  eats  up  a 
large  proportion  of  the  income.  A  librarian  should  be,  in 
fact  as  well  as  in  theory,  the  responsible  head  of  the  library, 
and  should  be  consulted  in  all  matters  relating  to  its  man- 
agement. Directors  should  impose  responsibility,  grant 
freedom  and  exact  results. 

The  position  of  librarian  is  one  of  dignity  and  responsi- 
bility, and  should  carry  with  it  a  proportionate  amount  of 
freedom  and  consideration.  The  salary  of  the  librarian  in 
smaller  towns  should  correspond  to  that  of  the  grade  teach- 
ers, and  in  larger  towns  to  those  of  the  school  principals. 
The  librarian  should  be  granted  at  least  three  weeks'  vaca- 
tion each  year,  and  if  possible  one  month,  and  should  have 
an  occasional  half-holiday  in  addition.  She  should  not  only 
be  allowed  the  privilege  of  attending  the  meetings  of  the 
state  association,  but  should  be  sent  as  a  delegate  with  all 
expenses  paid,  and  the  time  should  be  given  her  in  addition 
to  her  regular  vacation.  The  library  should  take  copies  of 
the  Library  journal  and  Public  libraries  for  the  librarian 


ESSENTIALS  IN  LIBRARY  ADMINISTRATION  g 

and  board.  The  board  will  find  that  such  courtesies  which 
may  seem  like  favors  will  bring  large  returns,  in  better 
service  and  increased  usefulness.  Anything  which  is  an 
inspiration  to  the  librarian  is  returned  to  the  library  ten- 
fold. 

LIBRARY  ASSISTANTS 

The  general  qualifications  of  a  library  assistant  are  prac- 
tically the  same  as  those  of  the  librarian.  While  the  assist- 
ant may  not  have  the  same  opportunities  to  exercise  her 
executive  ability,  her  duties  require  that  she  should  have 
at  least  a  high  school  education,  and  should  be  intelligent, 
enthusiastic,  tactful  and  courteous.  Above  all,  she  should 
be  willing  to  perform  cheerfully  any  task  which  may  be 
assigned  her,  and  to  work  harmoniously  with  her  asso- 
ciates for  the  good  of  the  whole.  The  assistants  should  be 
appointed  by  the  board,  but  should  be  recommended  by  the 
librarian,  and  the  board  which  has  a  competent  librarian 
should  show  their  confidence  in  her  by  accepting  her  rec- 
ommendations without  reference  to  outside  pressure.  When 
the  assistant  is  appointed,  she  should  be  responsible  to  the 
librarian  only,  and  any  dealings  with  the  board  should  be 
carried  on  through  the  librarian. 

Many  libraries  have  a  system  of  civil  service  examina- 
tions for  applicants.  This  is  a  great  protection  to  boards 
and  librarians  who  are  besieged  by  poorly  qualified  appli- 
cants with  influential  friends.  But  applicants  cannot  al- 
ways be  given  positions  solely  on  the  results  of  their  exami- 
nations, as  personal  qualifications  are  of  so  much  impor- 
tance, and  often  those  who  can  pass  the  best  examinations 
have  no  fitness  for  library  work.  Those  who  pass  the  ex- 
amination should  be  required  to  serve  on  trial  for  three 
or  four  months,  before  a  permanent  appointment  is  made. 
It  is  essential  that  there  should  be  a  reserve  force  to  draw 
upon  in  case  of  emergency,  or  vacancy,  and  there  should  be 
an  understudy  for  every  position.  This  is  perhaps  best 
accomplished  by  the  apprentice  system. 


10  ESSENTIALS  IN  LIBRARY  ADMINISTRATION 

THE  APPRENTICE  SYSTEM 

Libraries  ofttimes  lose  opportunities  for  useful  work 
because  they  have  not  a  suflBcient  number  of  assistants  and 
their  librarians  are  burdened  with  petty  details  of  work. 
A  class  of  apprentices  not  only  relieves  the  librarian  of 
much  routine  work,  but  also  furnishes  a  reserve  force  for 
emergencies,  to  supply  vacancies  and  to  fill  new  positions. 
In  justice  to  the  library  profession,  the  standard  should  be 
made  high.  Apprentices  should  at  least  be  graduates  of 
high  schools.  Untrained  librarians  or  those  without  years 
of  experience  should  not  undertake  to  conduct  an  apprentice 
class,  as  they  can  not  give  adequate  return  for  the  work 
demanded  from  the  apprentices. 

Something  definite  should  be  given  in  return  for  appren- 
tice time.  A  simple  course  of  study  with  regular  daily 
hours  for  work  and  for  instruction  should  be  planned. 
A  set  of  rules  should  be  made,  including  the  time  of  pro- 
bation and  terms,  the  hours  to  be  given  in  return  for  in- 
struction, the  purchase  of  supplies  for  practice  work,  and 
the  amount  of  compensation  if  extra  work  is  required. 

Apprentice  work  gives  the  best  preparation  for  library 
school  or  summer  school,  and  the  apprentice,  besides  gain- 
ing some  knowledge  of  library  methods,  has  an  opportunity 
to  make  trial  of  her  fitness  for  library  work. 

VOLUNTEER  SERVICE 

If  possible,  there  should  be  a  paid  librarian,  who  feels  the 
responsibility  of  the  position.  In  some  cases,  however.  It 
is  out  of  the  question  to  employ  a  librarian  at  the  start, 
and  the  library  miist  depend  upon  volunteer  service.  When 
this  is  necessary,  each  volunteer  should  serve  for  a  month 
or  a  week  at  a  time,  and  then  turn  her  work  over  to  her 
successor  in  good  condition.  This  is  preferable  to  having 
different  people  day  by  day,  a  plan  which  causes  confusion. 
Each  assistant  should  also  have  a  regular  substitute  to  take 
her  work  when  it  is  necessary.  When  there  are  a  number 
who  are  giving  their  services,  it  is  a  good  plan  to  have  each 
one  learn  one  technical  process,  such  as  classification,  ac- 


ESSENTIALS  IN  LIBRARY  ADMINISTRATION  H 

cessioning,  or  shelf-listing,  and  be  responsible  for  this 
throughout.  The  work  will  then  be  more  uniform,  and  the 
results  will  be  more  satisfactory. 

LIBRARY  TRAINING 

The  work  of  the  librarian  is  coming  to  be  regarded  as  a 
distinct  profession,  and  the  training  for  this  field  of  educa- 
tional work  is  regarded  as  just  as  necessary  as  the  pre- 
liminary training  for  the  public  school  teacher.  The  ideal 
librarian,  however,  should  not  only  be  equipped  in  techni- 
cal details,  but  filled  with  the  broader  knowledge  of  men 
and  books  which  leads  to  that  personal  enrichment  called 
culture. 

There  are  in  this  country  several  library  schools  that 
train  young  men  and  women  of  ability  and  education  for 
library  work.  Besides  these,  the  necessary  conditions  of 
library  work  in  smaller  libraries  have  led  to  the  establish- 
ment of  summer  library  schools  and  training  classes  for 
those  who  are  unable  to  attend  the  regular  library  schools. 
In  these  schools  only  simple  methods  and  elementary  work 
are  possible,  the  aim  being  to  give  the  students  a  conception 
of  library  work  as  a  whole,  and  an  acquaintance  with  mod- 
ern methods  within  a  short  period  of  six  or  eight  weeks. 
Such  summer  library  schools  are  conducted  by  the  State 
Library  at  Albany,  N.  Y.,  the  University  of  Illinois  and  by 
the  State  Library  Commissions  of  Wisconsin,  Iowa,  Minne- 
sota and  Indiana.  Admission  requirements  are  pi'actical 
experience,  a  definite  library  position  and  a  High  School 
education  or  its  equivalent.  In  some  of  the  larger  libraries 
apprentice  classes  are  conducted  in  order  to  teach  theyoung 
assistants  the  most  simple  methods  of  the  daily  routine. 
More  and  more  library  trustees  are  coming  to  realize  that 
to  expend  public  funds  in  the  employment  of  an  inefficient 
librarian  is  not  just  to  either  the  taxpayer  or  the  library. 

The  following  is  a  list  of  library  schools:  N.  Y.  State  Li- 
brary School,  Albany,  N.  Y. ;  Pratt  Institute  Library  School, 
Brooklyn,  N.  Y.;  University  of  Illinois  Library  School, 
Urbana,  111.;  Drexel  Institute  Library  School,  Philadelphia, 


12  ESSENTIALS  IN  LIBRARY  ADMINISTRATION 

Pa.;  Western  Reserve  University,  Cleveland,  O.;  New  York 
Public  Library  School;  Syracuse  University  Library 
School;  University  of  Wisconsin  Library  School,  Madison. 

THE  LIBRARY:    ITS  LOCATION  AND  INTERIOR 
ARRANGEMENT 

In  housing  the  books,  the  chief  thought  to  be  kept  con- 
stantly in  mind  is  the  practical  service  that  is  to  be  ren- 
dered to  the  community  by  means  of  this  selection  of  books 
maintained  at  public  expense.  The  library  should  be  the 
Intellectual  center  of  the  town,  and  hence  should  be  located 
in  a  convenient  and  accessible  place.  If  it  is  to  be  patron- 
ized, it  must  in  general  be  as  centrally  located  as  the  post- 
office  that  serves  the  whole  community.  The  most  attrac- 
tive lot  in  town  is  none  too  good  for  the  library,  when  we 
consider  that  the  people  of  all  ranks  and  conditions,  young 
and  old,  will  frequent  it  habitually  and  for  years  to  come. 

The  library  should  be  made  attractive  in  every  way  be- 
cause it  in  reality  holds  in  trust  the  genuine  and  lasting 
pleasures  of  life  which  are  chiefly  those  of  the  mind  and 
are  gained  largely  through  books.  The  vices  of  life  assume 
the  guise  of  attraction  in  order  to  entice  the  youth.  Why 
should  not  the  genuine  pleasures  of  life  be  presented  with 
such  attraction  as  to  neutralize  these  influences  which  offer 
the  artificial  allurements?  The  library  and  reading  room 
with  brightness,  good  cheer,  warmth  and  welcoine  ought  to 
stand  as  the  most  attractive  spot  outside  the  homes  in 
every  village,  town  and  city. 

If  a  town  is  fortunate  enough  to  erect  a  library  building, 
a  library  architect  who  has  given  special  study  to  the  sub- 
ject should  be  employed,  and  the  librarian  and  library  board 
should  carefully  outline  their  general  needs,  including  the 
rooms  and  conveniences  necessary  for  the  best  administra- 
tion of  the  library.  Confer  with  the  State  Library  Commis- 
sion regarding  this,  or  consult  some  librarian  of  established 
reputation  who  has  given  thought  to  the  intricate  questions 
of  library  architecture. 

In  towns  where  there  is  no  library  building  the  question 
of  interior  arrangement  of  the  room  is  of  even  more  impor- 


ESSENTIALS  IN  LIBRARY  ADMINISTRATION  13 

tance  than  when  a  library  occupies  its  own  building  and 
must  be  met,  no  matter  how  small  the  beginning.  If  the 
beginning  is  made  in  one  plain  room,  possibly  a  vacant 
store-room,  there  is  no  reason  why  it  should  not  be  made 
attractive  and  inviting. 

The  decoration  of  the  room  should  be  harmonious  and 
tasteful.  Do  not  disfigure  the  walls  with  unnecessary  signs. 
Signs  demanding  order  and  quiet  should  not  be  necessary. 
The  only  signs  which  are  permissible  are  those  giving  in- 
formation, and  these  should  be  as  unobtrusive  as  possible. 
If  they  are  framed  in  a  simple  wood  frame,  they  can  be 
kept  clean  and  in  position. 

The  pictures  on  the  library  walls  should  be  chosen  with 
great  care.  The  library  stands  for  the  enrichment  of  its 
community,  and  pictures  are  to  many  a  more  potent  influ- 
ence than  books.  Do  not  crowd  the  walls.  Give  each 
picture  space  enough  to  dignify  it.  Get  not  only  good  pic- 
tures, but  good  copies  of  pictures,  and  then  give  them 
good  plain  frames.  The  kind  and  number  of  pictures  and 
the  manner  in  which  they  are  hung  gives  or  takes  from 
the  character  of  the  room.  Some  good  pictures  for  the 
main  reading  room  are  Raphael — Sistine  Madonna;  Corot — 
Landscape;  St.  Gaudens — Lincoln;  Stuart — Washington; 
Bonheur — Ploughing  at  Nivernais;  Van  Dyke — William  II. 
Prince  of  Nassua;  for  the  children's  room:  Watts — Sir 
Galahad;  King  Arthur  (from  bronze  in  Innsbruck);  Luca 
Delia  Robbia — Singing  boys;  Fremiet — St.  George  and  the 
Dragon;  Regnault — Automedon  with  the  horses  of  Achilles; 
Corot — Dance  of  the  Nymphs. 

The  illustrations  from  the  Walter  Crane  and  the  Boutet 
de  Monvel  picture  books  make  very  attractive  friezes  for 
the  children's  room. 

Wall  shelving  is  greatly  preferable  to  floor  cases  in  a 
small  library,  and  the  shelving  should  not  be  too  high  for 
the  average  person  to  comfortably  reach  the  top  shelf  from 
the  floor.  The  exact  dimensions  of  shelving  are  gfiven  in 
the  article  on  furniture  and  fittings. 

As  the  library  grows  beyond  the  capacity  of  the  wall 
shelves,   stacks   or   double-faced  cases   can  be   introduced, 


14  ESSENTIALS  IN  LIBRARY  ADMINISTRATION 

standing  about  five  feet  apart  and  at  right  angles  to  a  wall 
which  has  windows  that  will  give  light  between  the  stacks. 
This  arrangement  of  shelving  is  made  on  the  assumption 
that  the  people  shall  have  free  access  to  the  books.  The 
best  judgment  of  those  who  have  given  this  subject  the 
greatest  thought  and  have  tested  it  by  actual  experience  is 
that  access  is  most  satisfactory  both  to  librarian  and  public. 
The  following  extract  from  a  paper  by  Mr  W.  H.  Brett  of 
Cleveland  (Ohio)  Public  Library  at  the  conference  of  the 
American  Library  Association  at  Atlanta,  Ga.,  in  1899,  gives 
the  point  of  view  of  one  who  has  tested  the  question  thor- 
oughly. He  says:  "I  am  inclined  to  take  the  position  that 
no  argument  for  open  shelves  is  necessary — that  the  burden 
of  proof  rests  with  those  who  would  restrict.  We  have  in 
the  public  library  the  people's  books,  paid  for  by  their 
money,  and  deposited  in  libraries  for  their  use.  This  use 
should  not  be  restricted  in  any  way  which  is  not  clearly 
necessary  to  guard  the  people's  interests.  It  is  not,  there- 
fore, for  the  free  library  to  defend  its  position;  it  is  rather 
for  the  library  which  bars  out  the  people  from  the  books 
to  defend  itself — to  give  a  reason  for  every  hampering  regu- 
lation which  it  enforces,  every  restriction  which  it  imposes, 
every  barrier  it  places  between  the  people  and  their  own 
books."  There  must,  of  course,  be  reasonable  safeguards 
against  the  books  being  carried  away  through  carelessness 
or  otherwise,  and  the  librarian's  desk  should  be  so  situated 
that  she  has  complete  oversight  of  the  room,  preferably 
near  the  entrance,  so  that  her  desk  must  be  passed  on  enter- 
ing and  leaving  the  room. 

Reading  tables  should  be  located  at  convenient  places  In 
the  room;  and  one  corner,  with  a  low  book  case  and  low 
tables,  should  be  set  aside  for  the  use  of  children,  in  the 
small  library  where  an  entire  room  can  not  be  placed  at 
their  disposal.  A  case  for  books  of  reference  with  a  con- 
venient, well-lighted  study  table  near  should  be  provided 
for  the  student. 

The  room  should  have  an  abundance  of  natural  light,  and 
windows  which  extend  almost  to  the  ceiling  give  a  high 


ESSENTIALS  IN  LIBRARY  ADMINISTRATION  Jg 

light  which  is  especially  desirahle.  The  artificial  light  also 
should  be  abundant,  and  the  location  of  the  fixtures  for 
either  gas  (with  Welsbach  burners)  or  electric  light  should 
be  carefully  supervised  by  the  librarian,  so  that  every 
study  and  reading  table  and  all  book  cases  shall  be  provided 
with  good  light.  This  is  of  great  importance,  as  in  the 
winter  season,  when  most  reading  and  study  are  done,  the 
evening  use  of  the  library  is  the  greatest. 

The  heating  and  ventilation  should  receive  consideration, 
and  if  the  city  has  a  steam  or  hot  water  heating  plant,  the 
library  should  certainly  receive  the  benefit  of  this.  If  there 
is  no  system  of  ventilation  in  the  building,  the  windows 
should  be  adjusted  to  lower  from  the  top,  as  a  close  atmos- 
phere is  neither  conducive  to  study  nor  to  the  pleasure  of 
an  hour's  reading. 

The  approach  to  a  room  or  building  is,  of  course,  made 
as  attractive  as  possible,  and  a  sign  outside  the  entrance 
should  clearly  state  that  it  is  a  free  public  library,  and 
should  give  library  hours  and  days.  An  illuminated  sign 
which  would  attract  from  the  street  at  night  is  also  desir- 
able. White  enamel  letters  on  the  window  may  be  used  to 
advantage.  If  the  library  is  on  the  second  floor,  it  is  very 
important  that  there  should  be  signs  at  the  street  door; 
but  a  library  should  never  be  on  the  second  floor  when  it  is 
possible  to  have  it  on  the  ground  floor. 

One  much  neglected  feature  in  a  library  where  funds  are 
limited  is  the  proper  cleaning  and  care  of  the  room  and 
books.  This  is  left  largely  to  the  librarian  in  the  small 
library,  and  it  is  impossible  for  her  to  do  it  herself  or  to 
have  it  done  without  funds.  It  has  proven  to  be  a  good 
method  to  put  the  small  fund  realized  from  fines,  or  such 
part  of  it  as  is  necessary,  at  the  disposal  of  the  librarian 
for  this  purpose.  No  room  can  be  made  attractive  unless  it 
is  clean,  and  the  joy  in  handling  a  book  may  be  changed 
to  dismay  when  the  grime  and  dust  from  the  book  and  shelf 
are  transferred  to  the  hands.  From  a  sanitary  standpoint 
also,  absolute  cleanliness  is  essential.  A  janitor  is  a  neces- 
sary part  of  the  library  force,  when  funds  permit,  whose 


16  ES8ENTIAL8  IN  LIBRARY  ADMINISTRATION 

duty  it  is  to  keep  the  books  dusted  as  well  as  the  floor 
clean;  but  if  a  janitor  is  not  employed,  some  one  can  be 
secured  to  come  for  an  hour  or  more  each  library  day  for 
these  important  duties. 

Instead  of  an  annual  house-cleaning,  it  is  better  to  have 
this  work  done  from  day  to  day.  One  section  could  be 
cleaned  each  morning.  The  books  should  be  slapped  to- 
gether under  the  cleaning-frame,  as  described  in  the  article 
on  library  furniture,  and  then  wiped  off  with  a  cloth,  and 
the  shelves  and  tops  of  cases  should  be  washed.  The  floors 
should  be  scrubbed  and  cleaned  thoroughly  at  least  once  a 
week,  if  the  library  is  open  every  day.  In  sweeping  use  a 
soft  brush  which  will  not  raise  the  dust,  and  never  use  a 
feather  duster. 

The  librarian  should  have  a  closet  which  can  be  locked, 
to  be  used  for  a  wardrobe  and  for  supplies.  Toilet  con- 
veniences should  also  be  provided  for  her,  and  a  wash  bowl, 
concealed  in  a  cabinet  when  not  in  use,  to  which  the  chil- 
dren can  be  sent  to  wash  their  hands,  is  a  very  great  con- 
venience. All  these  homely  matters  which  enter  into  the 
daily  work  of  the  library  should  be  attended  to  as  system- 
atically and  thoroughly  as  possible,  so  that  there  will  be  no 
friction  where  the  real  work  of  the  library,  the  bringing  of 
the  person  and  the  book  together,  is  concerned.  To  accom- 
plish this  promptly  and  in  a  helpful  spirit  is  the  ambition 
of  every  earnest  librarian. 

HOURS  AND  DAYS  OF  OPENING 

If  the  library  has  sufficient  income,  it  should  be  open  for 
circulation  every  day  in  the  week  except  certain  holidays, 
for  consecutive  hours,  if  possible,  as  these  are  more  easily 
remembered  by  the  general  public.  If  there  are  two  or 
more  assistants,  their  time  can  be  arranged  so  that  this 
will  be  possible.  The  hours  of  opening  must  be  adapted  to 
local  conditions,  choosing  the  hours  when  people  are  pass- 
ing to  and  from  their  work,  and  those  which  will  best  ac- 
commodate all  classes  of  people. 

The  children's  room  should  usually  not  be  open  after 


ESSENTIALS  IN  LIBRARY  ADMINISTRATION  yj 

seven  o'clock,  as  the  library  should  not  afford  an  excuse  for 
being  away  from  home  at  night. 

In  small  towns  where  daily  opening  is  not  possible,  the 
library  should  be  open  at  least  two  or  three  days  in  the 
week.  Monday,  Wednesday  and  Saturday  afternoons  and 
evenings  are  suggested  as  the  most  convenient  days.  The 
librarian  should  not  be  engaged  solely  for  the  hours  of 
opening,  as  there  are  tasks,  such  as  cataloging  and  the 
mechanical  preparation  of  the  books,  which  cannot  be  done 
during  library  hours.  The  board  should  decide  upon  the 
number  of  hours  the  librarian  is  to  work,  and  should  not 
require  her  to  give  extra  time  for  the  necessary  mechanical 
and  technical  work.  Time  should  also  be  allowed  for  mend- 
ing the  books,  as  a  great  deal  of  this  work  can  be  done  to 
advantage  in  the  library,  and  considerable  loss  is  involved 
if  it  is  slighted.  The  librarian  should  be  free  during 
library  hours  to  attend  the  loan  desk  and  assist  readers. 

In  most  towns,  rural  communities  excepted,  the  reading 
room  should  be  open  on  Sunday  afternoon,  as  this  day 
affords  the  only  opportunity  which  many  people  have  for 
visiting  the  library  and  enjoying  the  books  and  periodicals. 
Extra  help  should  be  employed  for  Sunday  service  and 
holidays  or  responsible  volunteers  should  be  secured. 

RULES  AND  REGULATIONS 

Rules  should  be  as  simple  as  possible  and  not  designed 
to  restrict  liberty  but  to  prevent  encroachment  and  secure 
the  greatest  good  to  all.  Rules  should  be  printed  on  the 
book-pockets,  but  need  not  be  printed  on  the  borrower's 
cards.  It  is  a  good  plan  to  have  neat  folders,  the  size  of  a 
card,  printed  with  library  hours  and  days,  giving  sug- 
gestions regarding  the  resources  of  the  library,  and  the  use 
of  the  catalog. 

The  following  rules  are  suggested  as  covering  all  impor- 
tant points.  The  two-book  system  and  system  of  reserving 
books  may  not  be  practicable  in  a  very  small  library.  All 
rules  must  be  adapted  to  local  conditions. 


18  ESSENTIALS  IN  LIBRARY  ADMINISTRATION 

BULES 

BoREOWEES — Adults  living  in  the  city  or  village  of 

(Township,  school  district,  or  county  limits  are 

preferable)  are  entitled  to  draw  books  by  filling  out  appli- 
cation blanks.  Children  under  16  must  obtain  the  signature 
of  parent  or  guardian. 

Boeroweb's  Cabd — Each  person  entitled  to  draw  books 
from  the  library  will  be  given  a  card,  which  must  be  pre- 
sented whenever  a  book  is  taken,  returned  or  renewed.  If 
this  card  is  lost,  a  new  one  will  be  given  after  seven  days' 
notice  or  upon  payment  of  five  cents. 

Special  Pbivilege  Cabd — A  special  privilege  non-fiction 
card  will  be  given  to  each  borrower  upon  request.  This 
card  will  entitle  the  holder  to  draw  from  the  library  any 
volume  not  classified  as  fiction. 

Number  of  Volumes — Two  books  may  be  drawn  at  a 
time,  one  only  of  which  is  fiction.  Two  volumes  of  the 
same  work  are  considered  as  one  book. 

Time  Kept — Books  may  be  kept  two  weeks  and  once  re- 
newed for  the  same  time.  Books  marked  Seven  Day  Book 
may  be  kept  for  that  time  only  and  cannot  be  renewed  or 
transferred. 

OvEB-DUE  Books — A  fine  of  one  cent  a  day  will  be  imposed 
for  books  kept  over  time. 

Reserve  Books — Any  book,  other  than  a  seven-day  book, 
may  be  reserved  upon  the  payment  of  one  cent  for  cost  of 
notice  which  will  be  sent  as  soon  as  the  book  is  returned 
to  the  library.  A  book  will  not  be  held  longer  than  two 
library  opening  days,  after  which  it  will  again  be  put  into 
circulation. 

Tempoeary  Residents — A  temporary  resident  may  obtain 
a  borrower's  card  by  filling  out  an  application  blank  and 
obtaining  the  signature  of  a  resident  free-holder,  or  by  a 
temporary  deposit  equal  to  the  value  of  the  book. 

Non-Resident — Any  one  living  outside  the  limits  noted 
above  may  obtain  a  borrower's  card  by  paying  the  sum  of 
25  cents  a  year,  signing  an  application  card  and  obtaining 
the  signature  of  a  resident  free-holder. 


LIBRARY   BRANCHES    AND    STATIONS 

In  parts  of  a  town  remote  from  the  main  library,  it  is 
often  necessary  to  establish  branches  or  delivery  stations. 
School  buildings  may  be  used  for  branches  in  lieu  of  sepa- 
rate quarters;  while  storekeepers  will  be  found  willing 
to  maintain  stations  where  borrowers  may  leave  books  to 


ESSENTIALS  IN  LIBRARY  ADMINISTRATION  jg 

be  exchanged  for  other  volumes  by  messenger  service  from 
the  main  library.  In  some  cases  an  assistant  with  books 
from  the  main  library  visits  the  station  at  popular  hours 
and  attends  to  the  exchange  and  issuance  of  the  volumes. 

THE  LIBRARY  AND  THE  CHILD 

The  interests  of  the  child  should  be  one  of  the  chief  con- 
cerns of  the  librarian.  Children's  departments  should  be 
established  in  the  larger  libraries,  in  charge  of  trained 
assistants;  while  even  the  smallest  library  should  have  its 
"children's  corner."  This  should  be  made  bright  and  at- 
tractive by  the  use  of  pictures  and  flowers.  All  of  the 
books  should  be  within  easy  reach  of  the  children,  the 
picture  books  being  placed  on  the  lower  shelves.  The  chil- 
dren's room  should  be  open  in  the  afternoon  until  6:30 
or  7  o'clock,  but  should  not  be  made  a  means  of  attracting 
children  from  their  homes  at  night.  Arrangements  should 
be  made  even  in  the  small  library  for  a  special  attendant 
in  this  department  from  the  close  of  school  hours  until  six 
o'clock.  The  children  need  help  in  selecting  their  books, 
and  some  one  who  knows  the  books  and  has  sympathy  with 
the  children  should  be  assigned  to  this  work.  Volunteer 
service  can  often  be  employed  here  with  good  results.  The 
children  should  be  taugl;t  the  proper  care  of  books,  how 
to  turn  the  leaves  of  the  dainty  volumes  without  soiling 
them  and  how,  through  the  use  of  temporary  covers,  to 
protect  the  bindings.  They  should  also  be  taught  the 
proper  order  of  books  on  the  shelves.  There  should  be  no 
age  limit  in  the  library,  but  even  the  youngest  should  have 
cards  in  their  own  names,  under  proper  guarantee;  and 
picture  books  should  be  provided  for  their  use,  so  that 
in  after  life  "there  will  be  no  distinction  in  the  child's 
mind  between  reading  as  an  art  learned  and  reading  as  a 
delight  discovered."  The  greatest  care  must  be  exercised 
in  selecting  books  for  young  folks,  and  only  the  best  of  the 
great  range  of  children's  literature  should  be  chosen.  It 
is  better  to  have  duplicates  of  the  best,  rather  than  a  variety 
of  the  mediocre  in  children's  books.    Fortunately  there  are 


20  ESSENTIALS  IN  LIBRARY  ADMINISTRATION 

50  many  books  for  them  that  are  both  wholesome  and  in- 
tensely interesting  that  a  small  library  need  have  no  third- 
rate  volumes  on  its  shelves.  Libraries  should  have  a  good 
supply  of  the  books  for  the  young  by  such  writers  as  James 
Baldwin,  Howard  Pyle,  Kate  Douglas  Wiggin,  Edward 
Eggleston,  Sara  Orne  Jewett,  and  the  best  of  the  books  by 
others  like  Louisa  M.  Alcott  and  Charles  Carleton  Coffin. 
Miss  Kennedy's  Suggestive  List  of  Children's  Books  for  a 
Small  Library  (Democrat  Ptg.  Co.,  Madison,  Wis.,  25  cents), 
lists  issued  by  the  State  Superintendent's  Office  at  Madison, 
Wis.,  and  the  A.  L.  A.  Catalog  and  its  continuation  volume, 
1904-11,  will  be  found  of  value.  It  is  better  to  choose  only  the 
best  books  and  to  have  plenty  of  duplicates.  Boys  love  and 
need  stories  of  adventure,  but  when  we  have  good  biogra- 
phies of  Washington,  Lincoln,  Paul  Jones,  Livingstone,  and 
stirring  narratives  like  those  of  Treasure  island  and  Men 
of  iron,  it  is  not  necessary  to  place  indifferent  books  in  the 
very  small  library,  and  in  the  larger  ones  even  the  best  of 
such  writers  as  Stoddard  and  Munroe  may  be  used  sparing- 
ly. An  occasional  book  of  an  author  who  depends  largely 
upon  very  exciting  incidents  to  maintain  interest  may  do  no 
harm,  may  even  serve  a  useful  purpose,  but  a  liberal  course 
of  such  reading  is  detrimental.  Personal  interest  should 
be  taken  in  the  children's  needs  by  the  librarian,  and  every 
effort  made  to  supply  them,  ever  bearing  in  mind  that  "it 
is  always  threugh  the  children  that  the  best  work  is  to  be 
done  for  the  uplifting  of  any  community." 

LIBRARY  LEAGUES  AND  LIBRARY  TALKS 

Chief  among  the  clubs  for  young  people  organized  in 
connection  with  libraries  is  the  Library  League  which  had 
its  inception  in  the  Cleveland  (O.)  Public  Library.  To 
instill  into  the  minds  of  the  young  respect  for  and  care  of 
public  property,  and  to  encourage  the  careful  use  of  books 
were  the  chief  reasons  for  its  organization.  The  idea  has 
been  found  adaptable  to  the  needs  of  many  public  libraries, 
and  in  one  way  or  another  the  League  motto,  "Clean  hearts, 
clean  hands,  clean  books,"  has  been  brought  to  the  atten- 


ESSENTIALS  IN  LIBRARY  ADMINISTRATION  21 

tion  of  many  boys  and  girls  who  frequent  our  public 
libraries,  much  to  the  improvement  of  the  condition  of  the 
books. 

The  story  hour  is  a  feature  which  has  been  used  with 
most  success  by  the  Pittsburgh  (Pa.)  Carnegie  Library,  for 
interesting  young  children  in  the  world's  classics.  The 
simple  narration  of  the  "Once  upon  a  time"  stories,  which 
never  grow  old,  relating  to  myths  and  legend  and  romance 
that  pervade  literature,  may  arouse  a  new  interest  in 
the  child  that  may  prove  to  be  a  lifelong  joy.  These  stories 
should  be  told,  however,  only  to  whet  the  appetite  for  books 
on  the  subject  which  should  be  at  hand  ready  to  be  issued 
for  home  use. 

THE  LIBRARY  AND  THE  SCHOOL 

Another  method  of  arousing  interest  in  good  books  is  by 
talks  to  the  school  children  by  the  librarian.  The  librarian 
should  visit  the  different  grades  of  the  school,  or  where  the 
arrangement  of  the  library  room  permits,  the  pupils  should 
come  to  the  library,  where  the  classification  of  the  books, 
the  card  catalog,  the  use  of  indexes  and  reference  books 
and  kindred  matters  are  explained.  Teachers  find  it  very 
helpful  in  arousing  interest  in  the  studies  to  bring  their 
classes  to  the  library  and  have  brought  together  a  repre- 
sentative collection  of  books  and  pictures  on  the  subjects 
treated  in  the  class. 

The  closest  relations  should  obtain  between  the  library 
and  school  authorities.  To  encourage  co-operation,  the 
superintendent  of  schools  or  the  supervising  principal  of 
the  high  school,  in  the  cities  and  towns  of  Wisconsin,  is  by 
virtue  of  his  office  a  member  of  the  library  board.  This 
arrangement  promotes  a  close  alliance  between  the  two 
great  educational  agencies.  For  years  past  there  has  been 
a  library  section  of  the  National  Educational  Association, 
attended  by  teachers  and  librarians,  while  at  the  meetings 
of  the  American  Library  Association  the  subject  of  libraries 
and  schools  receives  much  attention  from  year  to  year. 

The  library  should  supplement  the  school  at  every  point 


22  ESSENTIALS  IN  LIBRARY  ADMINISTRATION 

Books  should  be  sent  to  the  schools  in  the  outlying  wards, 
so  that  no  child  will  be  debarred  by  distance  from  library 
privileges.  The  librarian  should  keep  informed  of  the  work 
done  in  the  several  grades,  and  should  set  aside  books  on 
the  various  topics  for  the  use  of  teachers  and  students. 
Debating  and  literary  societies  should  be  encouraged  by 
assistance  from  the  library  staff.  Special  cards  may  be 
given  to  teachers  upon  which  a  number  of  books  may  be 
drawn  for  class-room  use.  Teachers  should  be  encouraged 
to  read  wholesome  books  to  the  children,  thus  creating  a 
love  for  the  good  in  literature. 

SCHOOL    DUPLICATE    COLLECTIONS 

In  many  larger  libraries  a  special  duplicate  collection  of 
books  is  added  for  use  in  the  schools.  These  are  kept  en- 
tirely separate  from  the  general  library  of  children's  books, 
and  are  sent  to  the  outlying  schools  in  groups  which  can 
be  exchanged  at  regular  intervals.  These  collections  may 
be  in  the  form  of  permanent  groups  or  traveling  libraries, 
or  the  teacher  may  choose  from  the  general  duplicate  col- 
lection the  books  best  adapted  to  the  needs  of  her  school. 
The  books  or  group  of  books  should  be  charged  to  the 
school  at  the  library,  and  the  teacher  should  be  furnished 
with  duplicate  book-cards  or  blanks  for  keeping  records, 
and  should  be  required  to  keep  an  accurate  record  of  the 
circulation.  These  books  should  be  chosen  not  merely  for 
supplementary  reading  to  aid  the  teachers  in  their  school 
work,  but  to  give  the  children  an  opportunity  to  gain 
access  to  the  best  in  literature.  Excellent  results  can  be 
obtained  in  this  way,  as  the  teacher  becomes  in  reality  a 
branch  children's  librarian,  and  can  do  much  to  guide  the 
reading  of  the  children. 

ILLUSTRATED  BULLETINS 

The  bulletin  may  chronicle  current  events,  it  may  bring 
out  special  days,  birthdays  of  authors  or  days  of  historic 
or  local  interest,  or  it  may  bring  out  lists  of  books  on 
special  topics.    The  best  place  for  the  bulletin  board  is 


ESSENTIALS  IN  LIBRARY  ADMINISTRATION  23 

near  the  loan  desk  where  it  attracts  the  attention  of  all 
who  come  and  go.  The  use  of  pictures  has  become  very 
general  and  adds  greatly  to  the  attractions  of  the  bulletin. 
For  the  bulletin  must  first  of  all  attract  and  then  having 
brought  the  people  to  a  halt,  it  must  give  them  something 
worth  while.  If  an  author's  birthday  is  represented,  the 
portrait  selected  must  be  the  best  to  be  obtained.  There 
should  be  a  list  of  books  about  and  written  by  the  author, 
if  the  library  has  such.  There  should  also  be  some  fact  or 
facts  of  real  interest  written  out  on  the  bulletin.  This 
applies  to  all  bulletins.  Have  something  on  each  one  that 
can  be  taken  away,  so  that  the  person  who  stops  to  look 
at  the  bulletin  may  feel  that  it  is  for  him,  even  if  he  does 
not  take  away  the  books  listed.  Children  have  gone  away 
from  a  very  attractive  animal  bulletin  without  a  book  who 
would  have  read  with  interest  a  paragraph  from  Wilder- 
ness ways  or  the  Jungle  hook.  Do  not  make  too  many 
bulletins.  Have  good  ones,  the  result  of  time  and  thought, 
and  then  leave  them  long  enough  to  be  of  value  to  the  pub- 
lic. Never  crowd  on  facts  or  pictures  so  that  the  mind  is 
confused  and  nothing  is  carried  away.  In  a  bulletin  on 
cathedrals  do  not  include  a  picture  of  the  Boston  Public 
Library,  for  example.    Make  the  bulletin  a  unit. 

The  choice  of  backgrounds  is  an  essential  point.  Black 
grounds  and  white  ink  bring  out  very  well  the  black  and 
white  prints,  and  gray  is  good  for  black  and  white.  Brown 
board  and  gold  ink  may  be  used  for  the  brown  prints,  like 
the  Elson  ten  cent  prints.  Some  pictures  are  good  on  red 
boards.  The  physical  make-up  must  be  as  carefully  consid- 
ered as  the  list  and  the  information. 

Material  may  be  gathered  from  various  sources:  old 
magazines,  publishers'  catalogs  and  announcements;  from 
railway  guides  and  advertising  matter  issued  by  steamship 
companies  and  tourist  agencies;  magazine  covers,  and  the 
paper  covers  which  come  on  the  new  books,  the  Perry 
pictures,  the  Brown  pictures,  Hood's  views  of  places,  the 
colored  pictures  of  birds,  animals,  etc.,  issued  by  the  Nature 
Study  Publishing  Co.   Chicago,  and   the   Century  gallery 


24  ESSENTIALS  IN  LIBRARY  ADMINISTRATION 

of  portraits.  The  illustrations  from  such  books  as  the 
Walter  Crane  edition  of  the  Wonder  book  may  be  very 
effectively  used  In  bulletin  work  after  the  book  is  worn 
out.  Many  libraries  mount  pictures  from  the  illustrated 
weeklies  and  other  sources  for  circulation  in  the  schools. 

SELECTION  OP  BOOKS 

If  a  public  library,  supported  by  tax,  is  to  receive  and 
merit  public  support,  it  must  have  books  that  give  pleasure. 
If  it  is  to  hold  the  esteem  of  the  community,  and  so  win 
continued  support,  the  books  must  be  wholesome  and  must 
give  sane  views  of  life,  inspiration  and  reliable  information. 
It  is  not  always  wise  to  ask  for  gifts  in  starting  a  library, 
because  so  much  useless  material  will  be  received,  which 
it  is  difBcult  to  refuse  without  offending  the  donors.  The 
book  committee  should  pass  upon  all  books  received,  and 
useless  books  should  be  rejected.  The  expense  of  handling 
and  shelving  is  too  great  to  allow  poor,  cheap,  or  out-of-date 
books  to  take  up  shelf  room.  No  denominational  or  con- 
troversial books  should  be  admitted.  If  this  rule  is  estab- 
lished in  the  beginning,  the  committee  will  avoid  a  charge 
of  personal  prejudice.  As  to  the  works  of  standard 
authors,  it  is  not  necessary  to  buy  complete  sets.  An  in- 
complete set  may  be  completed  as  opportunity  arises  or 
occasion  requires.  A  very  small  library  will  need  only  a 
few  of  the  best  works  of  each  author.  When  there  is  a 
choice  of  bindings,  plain  and  substantial  ones  should  be 
selected.  Good  cloth  bindings  will  last  for  years,  and  when 
worn  the  books  may  be  rebound  in  half-leather  for  less 
than  the  difference  in  price  at  the  book  stores  between  the 
cloth  bound  copy  and  the  leather  bound  copy. 

When  books  fall  into  pieces  sooner  than  they  should  on 
account  of  poor  sewing,  too  heavy  paper  or  on  account  of 
any  defect  of  paper  or  binding,  send  a  temperate,  lucid 
statement  of  the  fact  and  the  causes  to  the  publishers  or 
to  the  Comniissions. 

The  books  should  always  be  kept  in  good  order  by  mend- 
ing and  binding.     Soiled  or  torn  books  should  never  be  re- 


ESSENTIALS  IN  LIBRARY  ADMINISTRATION  25 

turned  to  the  shelves.  It  is  demoralizing  to  put  such 
books  in  the  hands  of  patrons.  They  cannot  be  expected 
to  keep  new  books  clean  and  handle  them  carefully,  if 
soiled  and  torn  books  are  constantly  being  given  to  them. 
Soiled  books  and  those  which  are  torn  beyond  mending 
should  be  withdrawn.  Some  libraries  send  them  to  hos- 
pitals and  other  charitable  institutions — a  doubtful  philan- 
thropy. It  is  better  to  destroy  them,  as  there  should  be 
plenty  of  clean,  fresh  books  for  these  places. 

Each  new  library  must  build  up  its  own  patronage  by 
giving  untrained  readers  the  best  of  the  most  popular 
books,  and  then  leading  them  gradually  from  good  books 
to  better.  The  reading  habit  must  precede  the  habit  of 
studying,  and  the  librarian  in  a  small  town  should  be  well 
satisfied  if,  in  the  first  two  years  of  the  work,  she  can  get 
the  masses  to  come  to  her  library  habitually  to  get  books 
to  read  for  pleasure  and  if  she  has  a  few  students.  Fre- 
quent additions  of  new  books  will  keep  alive  public  interest 
in  the  library.  The  librarian  should  have  the  A.  L.  A.  Book- 
list ($1  Chicago),  the  Publishers'  Weekly  ($4  Nev;  York) 
or  the  Monthly  Cumulative  Book  Index  ($6  Minneapolis)  to 
inform  her  of  the  publications  of  new  books.  Some  good  re- 
views should  be  taken,  such  as  The  Nation,  Dial,  New  York 
Times  Saturday  Review,  and  Bookman. 

A  very  small  library  should  have  a  somewhat  large  pro- 
portion of  books  by  the  older  authors,  commonly  called 
"standard."  As  there  are  many  editions  of  the  best  of  such 
works,  and  as  most  of  the  cheap  editions  are  very  poor, 
book  committees  should  be  very  careful  in  selecting  the 
editions  as  well  as  in  selecting  the  titles.  To  order  simply 
Arabian  nights  in  a  cheap  edition  may  bring  a  copy  that 
is  so  poorly  made  as  to  be  almost  valueless,  or  a  full  trans- 
lation that  is  thoroughly  objectionable. 

In  buying  copyrighted  books  there  is  usually  no  choice. 
In  buying  books  in  science,  political  and  social  economy, 
and  the  useful  arts,  book  committees  should  buy  recent 
books  and  the  latest  editions  of  standard  works. 

The  best  existing  guides  in  book  selection  are  the 
A.  L,  A.  Catalog  (Supt.  of  Documents,  Wash.,  D.  C— $1.00) 


26  ESSENTIALS  IN  LIBRARY  ADMINISTRATION 

published  in  1904  and  the  A.  L.  A.  Catalog,  1904-11  (A.  L, 
A.  Pub.  Bd.,  $1.50).  The  first  named  is  a  list  of  8,000  vol- 
umes, with  notes,  and  is  practically  a  revision  and  exten- 
sion of  the  1893  Catalog  of  the  A.  L.  A.  Library  of  5,000  vol- 
umes. The  volume  is  in  two  parts,  the  first  section  being  a 
Class  list  according  to  the  Decimal  system,  and  the  second 
section  according  to  the  Dictionary  plan.  The  Dewey  Deci- 
mal and  the  Cutter  Expansive  Classification  numbers  are 
both  given  in  the  Dictionary  section.  A  new  library  that 
buys  this  list  of  books,  adopts  the  Decimal  classification  and 
is  thus  enabled  to  use  the  volume  as  its  printed  catalog,  will 
have  the  nucleus  of  a  better  collection  of  books  than  most 
small  libraries  and  will  very  greatly  reduce  the  expense  of 
library  organization.  The  larger  libraries,  having  most  of 
the  books  in  their  collections,  will  find  that  this  catalog 
will  supply  to  some  extent  the  ever  present  demand  of  the 
public  for  a  printed  catalog  for  home  use. 

The  A.  L.  A.  Catalog,  1904-11,  is  the  most  important  aid 
in  book  selection  since  the  A.  L.  A.  Catalog  of  1904.  It  is 
an  annotated  list  of  about  3000  of  the  best  books  published 
since  the  Catalog  was  printed.  Selections  have  been  made 
through  the  votes  of  librarians  and  specialists  in  all  parts 
of  the  country.  Books  are  arranged  by  classes,  with 
author,  title  and  subject  indexes.  Children's  books  are 
listed  separately. 

REFERENCE  BOOKS 

The  circulating  department  must  of  course  be  the  first 
to  be  considered  in  starting  a  small  library,  but  as  the 
library  grows,  it  will  come  to  be  recognized  as  the  in- 
tellectual center  of  the  town,  and  demands  will  be  made 
upon  it  for  information  upon  all  sorts  of  topics.  Refer- 
ence books  are  expensive,  and  this  department  should  be 
built  up  with  the  utmost  care.  There  are  excellent  lists 
of  reference  books  in  Hints  to  small  libraries,  by  Mary  W. 
Plummer,  and  the  Guide  to  the  study  and  use  of  reference 
hooks,  by  Alice  B.  Kroeger,  and  its  Supplement  (1909-10) 
compiled  by  Isadore  G.  Mudge.  The  librarian  should 
study  her  reference  books  carefully,  ascertain  their  scope 
and  purpose,  in  order  that  she  may  be  able  to  assist  her 
students,  and  especially  young  people  in  using  these  tools. 
The  use  of  indexes  and  the  resources  of  the  reference 
collection  should  be  taught  systematically  to  clubs  and 


ESSENTIALS  IN  LIBRARY  ADMINISTRATION  27 

schools.  Teachers  should  be  invited  to  come  with  their 
classes  to  make  a  study  of  them.  A  little  systematic  work 
in  this  direction  will  save  much  time  in  the  end. 

BOOKS  IN  FOREIGN  LANGUAGES 

Many  communities  have  a  considerable  proportion  of 
people  who  read  a  foreign  language  more  readily  than 
English.  These  people  are  usually  adults,  and  many  of 
them  are  taxpayers.  It  is  both  just  and  politic  to  please 
them  by  providing  books  in  their  native  languages.  In 
selecting  books  for  them  it  is  rarely  necessary  to  buy 
any  but  the  more  popular  books  of  fiction  with  a  few 
simple  histories  and  biographies.  In  selecting  and  buying 
such  books  State  Library  Commissions  can  give  effective 
help.  Careful  buyers  may  get  as  good  discounts  as  are 
given  on  English  books,  though  some  well  known  jobbers 
give  only  short  discounts.  We  advise  librarians  and 
trustees  who  are  commencing  this  work  to  buy  but  few 
books  in  the  first  purchase  and  to  rely  largely  upon  the 
advice  of  librarians  who  have  had  long  experience  in  this 
line  of  work.  The  A.  L.  A.  has  published  catalogs  of  Hun- 
garian, German,  French,  Danish,  Norwegian  and  Swedish 
books  recommended  for  purchase. 

PERIODICALS— BOUND  AND  CURRENT 

Many  of  the  most  valuable  contributions  to  modern  lit- 
erature are  found  in  the  current  periodicals,  and  they  are 
therefore  a  very  important  part  of  the  equipment  of  a  pub- 
lic library.  The  general  literary  magazines  should  be 
chosen  first,  and  afterwards  technical  periodicals  and  those 
relating  to  special  subjects  should  be  selected  with  reference 
to  the  local  demand.  The  latest  numbers  of  the  current 
periodicals  should  be  placed  in  open  cases  in  the  reading- 
room,  and  the  preceding  numbers  should  be  carefully  filed 
away  until  the  volume  is  completed  and  ready  for  binding, 
but  these  unbound  files  should  be  kept  where  they  may  be 
easily    accessible    for    reference.    The    magazines    should 


28  ESSENTIALS  IN  LIBRARY  ADMINISTRATION 

always  be  kept  in  good  order  on  the  tables.  There  are 
many  good  temporary  binders  which  can  be  used  for  this 
purpose,  a  list  of  which  is  given  under  addresses  of  library 
supply  houses. 

The  value  of  the  sets  of  bound  periodicals  for  reference 
work  can  hardly  be  over-estimated.  The  Abridged  Edition 
of  Poole's  Index  will  be  found  invaluable  in  connection 
with  the  bound  volumes  of  periodicals,  while  the  Reader's 
Guide  to  Periodical  Literature  ($6  H.  W.  Wilson  Co.,  Min- 
neapolis), issued  monthly  throughout  the  year,  will  prove 
of  great  assistance.  The  librarian  should  make  a  sys- 
tematic canvass  of  the  town  and  collect  everything  pos- 
sible in  the  way  of  old  magazines.  These  can  be  sorted 
and  arranged,  the  valuable  numbers  bound,  pictures  cut 
from  weeklies  mounted,  and  the  rest  sent  to  hospitals 
and  other  institutions. 

As  soon  as  funds  permit,  the  library  should  take  dupli- 
cate copies  of  the  more  popular  magazines  for  circulation. 
If  only  one  set  is  taken,  it  should  always  be  kept  for  ref- 
erence in  the  library.  For  the  inveterate  magazine  reader, 
who  usually  buys  only  the  cheaper  magazines,  duplicate 
magazines  for  circulation  are  a  great  boon.  The  cover  and 
the  first  page  next  to  the  cover  may  be  lined  with  cheese- 
cloth or  paper  cambric,  or  they  may  be  bound  temporarily 
in  a  very  cheap  board  cover.  Their  circulation  should  be 
limited  to  seven  days.  These  magazines  are  not  wasted 
even  after  the  first  demand  is  over,  as  the  bound  volumes 
can  be  used  for  circulation. 

PAMPHLETS 

The  pamphlets  which  come  to  the  library  should  be  care- 
fully examined  and  everything  which  has  to  do  with  local 
history,  which  contains  material  not  to  be  found  elsewhere, 
or  which  promises  to  be  of  any  value  in  the  future  should 
be  saved. 

Those  which  are  of  most  value  may  be  bound  singly  or  in 
groups  according  to  subjects,  and  incorporated  into  the 
library.    Others  should  be  closely  classified  and  put  on  the 


ESSENTIALS  IN  LIBRARY  ADMINISTRATION  29 

shelves  with  the  books,  in  manila  folios  (home-made), 
plainly  lettered,  or  in  wood  pamphlet  cases  containing  a 
number  of  pamphlets  on  one  subject,  and  labeled  with  class 
number  and  contents.  A  shelf  list  and  subject  card  should 
be  made,  and  in  case  the  pamphlet  is  valuable  chiefly  for 
its  authorship,  an  author  card  may  be  made. 

Some  very  valuable  material  is  found  in  pamphlet  form, 
and  it  is  important  that  the  librarian  should  care  for  it  so 
that  it  may  be  made  accessible,  and  be  kept  clean. 

RENTING    COLLECTIONS    OF    POPULAR    BOOKS 

In  the  case  of  many  popular  books  of  the  day,  the 
librarian  often  finds  it  impossible  to  buy  enough  copies  to 
supply  the  demand.  This  demand  is  often  only  temporary 
and  it  is  not  wise  for  the  library  to  add  many  copies  of  a 
book  of  no  permanent  value.  It  has,  therefore,  been  found 
practicable  to  purchase  in  addition  to  the  one  copy  or  num- 
ber of  copies  which  the  library  could  ordinarily  afford,  a 
number  of  extra  copies  which  may  be  rented  for  2  cents  a 
day.  This  lessens  the  pressure  on  the  regular  copies  and 
gives  many  borrowers  who  are  willing  to  pay  the  extra  fee 
an  opportunity  to  obtain  the  desired  book  more  promptly. 
The  extra  copies,  if  judiciously  selected,  will  more  than 
pay  for  themselves  in  a  short  time  and  may  furnish  a  fund 
by  which  to  add  to  this  collection.  These  pay  copies  are 
issued  on  borrower's  cards  in  the  usual  way. 

LOCAL  HISTORY  COLLECTIONS 

All  librarians  who  have  in  charge  such  treasures  are 
aware  of  the  general  popular  interest  in  old  pamphlets, 
newspaper  files,  and  other  forms  of  local  history.  Every 
public  library  can  and  should  make  collections  of  this  char- 
acter for  its  own  community,  and  the  library  at  the  county 
seat  should  seek  to  cover,  so  far  as  may  be,  its  own  county. 
Newspaper  files,  the  daily  or  weekly  mirror  of  the  com- 
munity's life,  should,  if  possible,  be  made  complete.  All 
manner  of  published  reports  should  be  obtained — those 
of  the  common  council,  the  county  board  of  supervisors, 


30  ESSENTIALS  IN  LIBRARY  ADMINISTRATION 

the  various  public  institutions  located  in  the  community; 
the  published  memorial  sermons,  society  year-books,  printed 
rules  and  constitutions  of  local  lodges,  catalogs  and  pro- 
grams of  local  colleges  and  academies;  published  addresses 
of  any  sort;  any  manner  of  literature  published  by  the 
churches,  whether  in  the  form  of  papers,  membership  lists, 
appeals  for  aid,  or  what  not;  programs  of  local  musicals, 
concerts,  veteran  campfires,  etc.,  would  be  found  in  time 
to  have  great  interest  to  the  local  historian.  Librarians 
should  remember  that  this  generation  and  its  affairs  are 
but  passing  phases  of  world-life;  in  due  course  what  they 
have  gathered  of  the  literary  drift-wood  of  to-day  will  be 
of  priceless  value  to  their  successors  in  oflSce. 

PUBLIC    DOCUMENTS 

Much  valuable  information  is  contained  in  city,  state, 
or  federal  documents,  which  if  wisely  selected  and  intel- 
ligently used  form  a  very  important  part  of  a  library's  re- 
sources. Many  of  these  reports  are  prepared  by  experts, 
the  information  is  authoritative,  and  represents  thorough 
and  scholarly  research.  The  large  number  of  these  pub- 
lications, however,  makes  it  necessary  to  exercise  great 
care  in  selection  to  avoid  filling  valuable  shelving  space 
with  books  utterly  useless  in  a  small  library. 

Town  and  City  Reports.  All  reports  and  publications 
of  the  local  city  or  town  administrations  should  be  secured. 
If  reports  are  printed  only  in  the  local  papers,  clippings 
may  be  preserved;  or  if  the  local  papers  are  bound,  these 
reports  may  be  indexed,  and  the  references  filed  in  the 
catalog. 

State  Documents.  Next  in  importance  are  the  publica- 
tions of  the  state.  States  have  different  methods  of  dis- 
tribution. For  information  write  to  the  Secretary  of  State 
or  the  Library  Commission.  The  Wisconsin,  Ohio,  and 
Iowa  Library  Commissions  issue  lists  of  their  respective 
state  publications  which  are  extremely  useful. 

The  blue  books  are  mines  of  information  and  are  indis- 
pensable.   Other  reports  should  be  selected  with  care  and 


ESSENTIALS  IN  LIBRARY  ADMINISTRATION  31 

with  regard  to  the  needs  of  the  community.  When  received 
they  should  be  classified,  cataloged  and  shelved  with  other 
books. 

Federal  Documents.  The  annual  report  of  the  Superin- 
tendent of  Documents  gives  full  information  in  regard  to 
the  distribution  of  public  documents.  Each  senator  and 
representative  is  entitled  to  designate  one  library  as  a  de- 
pository for  publications  of  the  U.  S.  government.  De- 
pository libraries  receive  the  volumes  known  as  the  Con- 
gressional documents,  and  practically  all  publications 
issued  by  the  government. 

A  library  is  usually  a  depository  for  documents  re- 
ceived by  private  citizens  in  a  community.  The  problem 
Is  to  weed  out  judiciously  and  to  keep  and  secure  only 
those  strictly  desirable. 

Any  volumes  not  wanted  may  be  returned  to  the  Super- 
intendent of  Documents,  who  will  send  franks  to  have 
them  returned  in  mail  bags  through  the  post  office,  in  the 
same  manner  in  which  they  were  received. 

It  is  undesirable  for  a  small  library  to  become  a  deposi- 
tory, as  space  will  be  too  limited  to  accommodate  the 
books,  and  time  too  valuable  to  arrange  them. 

The  best  method  for  the  small  library  is  to  apply  to 
special  departments  for  the  current  Issues  of  their  publica- 
tions, and  to  the  Superintendent  of  Documents  for  partic- 
ular publications  and  back  files  of  Departmental  reports 
that  are  desired. 

The  Superintendent  of  Documents  will  furnish,  "want 
blanks"  with  information  as  to  the  manner  in  which  re- 
quests should  be  filed.  Each  library  is  assigned  a  special 
number  to  be  used  in  all  dealings  with  the  Department. 
Every  librarian  should  endeavor  to  secure  the  Monthly 
Catalog  of  U.  S.  Public  Documents. 

The  annual  and  special  reports  of  the  Department  of 
Labor,  Bureau  of  Education,  Department  of  Agriculture, 
Smithsonian  Institution,  and  National  Museum,  the  Con- 
sular, and  Census  Reports,  are  especially  valuable. 

The  Congressional  Record  issued  daily  during  each  ses- 
sion contains  the  debates  and  proceedings  of  Congress,  and 


32  ESSENTIALS  IN  LIBRARY  ADMINISTRATION 

should  be  on  file.  The  bound  volumes  will  be  sent  at  the 
end  of  the  session  if  applied  for  through  the  local  Con- 
gressman. These  will  be  found  of  great  usefulness  to 
current  topic  clubs,  high  school  debaters  and  the  like. 

The  Official  Patent  Gazette  issued  weekly  contains  a  list 
of  patents  and  descriptions.  It  may  be  secured  through  the 
representative  of  the  district  in  which  the  library  Is 
located.  It  is  of  little  use  to  the  small  library  unless 
there  is  some  local  demand. 

An  effort  should  be  made  to  secure  complete  files  of  re- 
ports that  are  desirable.  Odd  volumes  have  little  value 
and  are  only  a  vexation  unless  upon  some  specific  sub- 
ject of  local  importance  or  interest. 

Depository  libraries  will  find  it  best  to  arrange  their 
Congressional  documents  by  serial  numbers,  and  use  the 
check  list  for  a  shelf  record.  Other  documents  should  be 
classified  and  arranged  with  books  of  the  same  classes, 
and  not  relegated  to  out-of-the-way  shelves  where  there 
is  little  likelihood  of  their  being  seen  or  used. 

For  selecting  documents  The  Monthly  Catalog  of  Public 
Documents  issued  by  the  Superintendent  of  Documents  is 
valuable.  Since  1893  Document  catalogs  have  been  issued 
from  the  office  of  the  Superintendent  of  Documents  which 
index  fully  all  Congressional  documents  and  reports,  and 
all  departmental  publications  for  that  period.  These 
should  be  secured  and  placed  with  the  periodical  indexes 
for  reference.  Students  should  be  taught  to  use  them,  as 
the  best  material  on  current  topics  for  themes  and  debates 
will  often  be  found  in  government  books  or  pamphlets,  and 
may  be  had  for  the  asking. 

An  examination  of  these  catalogs  will  reveal  the  wealth 
of  information  to  be  obtained  from  government  publica- 
tions, and  intelligent  use  of  them  will  render  invaluable, 
even  to  the  small  library,  the  hitherto  despised  public 
documents. 

The  following  catalogs  cover  the  period  from  1774  to  date: 

Poore,  Descriptive  catalog,  1774-1881. 

Ames,  Comprehensive  index,  1881-1893.    2  v. 

U.  S.  Documents,  Superintendent  of.  Comprehensive  in- 
dex, 1893-1909.     9  V, 


ESSENTIALS  IN  LIBRARY  ADMINISTRATION  33 

U.  S.  Documents,  Superintendent  of.  Monthly  catalog, 
U.  S.  public  documents.     1895-date. 

Constant  changes  are  being  made  in  the  rules  govern- 
ing the  allotment  of  documents  and  their  distribution,  with 
which  the  librarian  should  endeavor  to  keep  Informed. 

BUSINESS  SIDE  OF  A  LIBRARY 

Public  libraries  are  usually  supported  by  public  taxation, 
and  the  funds  should  be  provided  for  in  the  annual  tax 
levy. 

Before  the  tax  roll  is  made  up  and  the  various  city  funds 
apportioned,  the  library  board  should  submit  a  budget  to 
the  common  council  giving  an  itemized  statement  of  needs 
for  the  ensuing  year. 

If  a  perpetual  income  is  assured  by  virtue  of  acceptance 
of  a  building  as  a  gift,  this  will  only  be  necessary  in  case 
an  extra  appropriation  is  needed. 

The  funds  when  collected  may  remain  in  the  hands  of 
the  city  treasurer  and  be  drawn  upon  by  the  order  of  the 
board;  or,  may  be  turned  over  to  the  library,  in  which 
case  the  board  should  elect  a  treasurer  under  bonds. 

The  income  of  the  library  should  be  carefully  apportioned 
to  the  various  needs,  and  a  check  kept  upon  all  expendi- 
tures. 

All  bills  should  be  signed  by  the  librarian  and  approved 
by  the  finance  committee  before  being  audited  by  the 
board.  Bills  should  be  kept  on  file  at  the  library  in  a  safe 
provided  for  these  and  other  important  records;  or,  bills 
may  be  filed  in  the  city  treasurer's  safe,  in  which  case  it 
will  be  convenient  to  have  duplicate  bills  on  file  at  the 
library.  The  vouchers  necessary  to  draw  the  funds  from 
the  city  treasury  must  be  signed  by  the  proper  officers  of 
the  board.  Blanks  for  this  purpose  may  be  arranged  in 
the  form  of  a  printed  order  book,  which  serves  as  a  simple 
method  for  keeping  a  record  of  expenditures. 

The  following  Is  a  convenient  form: 


34 


ESSENTIALS  IN  LIBRARY  ADMINISTRATION 


G 


CO 


t^ 


o 

0) 

bO 

Ih 

cd 

-s 

a 


8. 


ESSENTIALS  IN  LIBRARY  ADMINISTRATION  35 

Each  order  is  numbered,  and  each  bill  is  paid  by  sepa- 
rate order  and  given  the  corresponding  number. 

When  the  order  is  drawn,  the  account  to  which  the  bill 
is  to  be  charged  is  indicated  on  the  stub.  From  this  record 
a  table  of  expenditures  to  date  can  be  quickly  prepared  at 
any  time,  or  may  be  kept  from  month  to  month.  The  total 
footings  may  be  carried  forward  from  page  to  page.  Larger 
libraries  will  keep  ledger  accounts  under  firm  names  and 
under  Rent,  Books,  Binding,  etc. 

A  cash  book  should  be  kept  by  the  librarian  showing 
amount  of  fines  collected,  and  bills  paid  from  the  petty  cash 
fund.  An  itemized  report  of  this  fund  should  be  made  to 
the  board  accompanied  by  receipted  bills  for  all  amounts 
over  $1.00. 

The  librarian  should  have  the  authority  to  pay  small 
bills  from  the  petty  cash  fund,  such  as  freight,  express, 
postage,  desk  supplies,  etc.,  but  all  bills  for  large  amounts 
should  be  first  audited  by  the  board. 

A  meeting  of  the  library  board  should  be  held  at  least 
once  a  month  that  all  bills  may  be  audited  and  paid  prompt- 
ly. The  librarian  or  secretary  should  notify  the  members  of 
the  board  a  few  days  in  advance  and  should  be  present  for 
a  part  of  the  time,  at  least,  at  the  board  and  committee 
meetings.  The  librarian  should  be  prepared  to  give  any 
information  upon  matters  of  administration,  to  make  rec- 
ommendations, and  to  submit  a  report  on  the  work  of  the 
library  during  the  month,  including  statistics  of  circula- 
tion, borrower's  cards  issued,  books  purchased  and  cata- 
loged, and  any  special  work  undertaken  or  accomplished. 
The  librarian  may  or  may  not  act  as  secretary  of  the  board, 
but  records  may  properly  be  kept  at  the  library  for  refer- 
ence. 

The  librarian  should  be  the  virtual  business  manager  of 
the  library.  The  librarian  should  compile  the  book  lists, 
and  after  approval  or  revision  by  the  book  committee, 
should  send  in  the  orders  and  receive  them  when  filled. 
The  various  committees  should  consider  and  decide  upon 


36  ESSENTIALS  IN  LIBRARY  ADMINISTRATION 

plans  for  purchases,  repairs  or  changes,  and  the  librarian 
should  see  that  they  are  executed. 

The  annual  inventory  is  essential  and  should  be  taken 
during  the  months  when  the  circulation  is  lightest  and 
the  largest  number  of  books  in  place.  The  library  should 
never  be  closed  for  this  purpose  as  the  inventory  may  ex- 
tend over  an  indefinite  period  if  done  systematically.  One 
class  of  books  should  be  taken  at  a  time.  The  books  on 
the  shelves  should  be  compared  with  the  shelf  list;  as  each 
book  is  found,  enter  the  date  on  the  back  of  the  shelf  card 
in  a  position  that  will  bring  succeeding  dates  in  even  rows. 
Do  not  remove  cards  for  missing  books  but  make  a  note 
of  them  and  compare  later  with  book  cards  in  charging  tray, 
with  bindery  files,  and  with  mending  shelves.  Books  not 
found  immediately  should  not  be  reported  lost,  but  may  be 
looked  for  at  intervals  for  several  weeks  or  months.  If 
not  found  before  the  next  inventory,  the  shelf  list  cards 
may  then  be  withdrawn,  thus  forming  the  withdrawal  record. 

Library  property  should  be  fully  insured.  If  the  library 
is  located  in  a  city  building  the  premium  may  quite  prop- 
erly be  paid  by  the  city  with  other  furniture  and  fixtures 
insured  in  the  building.  If  the  library  occupies  its  own 
or  a  rented  building,  the  premium  may  reasonably  be  paid 
from  the  library  funds. 

ADVERTISING   THE    LIBRARY 

The  library  should  be  kept  prominently  before  the  public 
by  forms  of  judicious  and  dignified  advertising.  Lists  of 
the  new  books,  for  example,  with  brief  annotations  when 
possible,  should  be  printed  in  the  daily  or  weekly  press. 
When  the  list  is  sent  to  the  newspaper,  send  with  it  a  re- 
quest to  have  the  type  saved  for  further  use.  Ask  the  edi- 
tor to  take  the  type  composing  the  list  to  a  small  job  press 
and  have  him  strike  off  250,  500  or  1,000  copies  or  more 
for  your  use.  The  only  expense  involved  in  this  will  be 
the  cost  of  the  paper  and  the  pressman's  services,  which 
generally  amount  to  about  $1.50  per  1,000  copies.  Many 
newspapers  are  willing  to  perform  this  service  gratis  for 


ESSENTIALS  IN  LIBRARY  ADMINISTRATION  37 

the  returns  which  it  brings,  if  such  a  heading  as  the  fol- 
lowing is  used  in  the  list: 

Milwaukee  Public  Library 

Call  Slip. 

Furnished  by  the  Courtesy 

of 

The  Milwaukee  Press. 

Watch  the  Press  for  Future  Lists. 

Monthly  and  yearly  statements  of  circulation  should  also 
be  sent  to  the  papers  and  other  news  notes  from  time  to 
time.  Appeal  to  current  interest  in  some  question  of  the 
day  or  matter  of  local  importance  by  printing  short  lists 
of  books  showing  the  resources  of  the  library  on  these 
topics.  In  a  town  of  any  size  the  library  should  have  a 
standing  notice  in  the  amusement  column,  for  the  ben- 
efit of  transient  visitors.  Tasteful  announcement  cards, 
10x12 1/^  inches  in  size,  suitably  framed,  should  be  placed 
in  hotels,  restaurants,  stations,  and  stores,  to  show  the  loca- 
tion of  the  library  and  reading-room,  hours  of  opening, 
and  the  fact  that  all  are  welcome  to  its  privileges.  When 
the  library  is  centrally  located  and  possessed  of  show 
windows  on  the  ground  floor,  book  and  magazine  posters, 
obtained  from  book  dealers  and  publishers,  may  be  used 
to  advantage.  Book  marks  bearing  the  words,  "When  in 
doubt  consult  the  public  library"  have  proved  a  talisman, 
while  other  printed  devices  that  may  occur  to  the  librarian 
will  still  further  inform  the  general  public  of  the  existence 
and  importance  of  the  library. 

REPORTS    AND    STATISTICS 

While  the  small  library  cannot  spend  time  on  elaborate 
statistics,  a  few  are  essential  in  order  to  know  what  the 
library  is  accomplishing,  and  how  its  growth  and  develop- 
ment compare  with  previous  years  and  with  other  libraries. 
Not  only  as  a  matter  of  interest,  but  from  a  business 
standpoint  it  is  important  to  know  if  the  use  of  the  library 


38  BB8ENTIAL8  IN  LIBRARY  ADMINISTRATION 

is  Increasing,  the  character  of  the  reading  is  changing  and 
why;  whether  the  book  purchases  are  well  proportioned, 
the  investment  in  maintenance  is  yielding  an  adequate 
return,  or  the  funds  suflBcient  for  the  legitimate  demands 
of  a  growing  institution.  All  these  items  may  be  gathered 
from  very  simple  records,  and  will  prove  of  value  in  secur- 
ing appropriations  from  the  council,  in  planning  a  wiser 
expenditure  of  the  various  funds,  and  in  developing  a 
taste  for  better  literature. 

Reports  of  other  libraries  will  contain  helpful  hints,  and 
should  be  carefully  studied.  The  Commissions  of  Wiscon- 
sin, Minnesota,  and  Iowa  furnish  to  the  libraries  of  their 
respective  states,  an  annual  report  form,  which  the  laws 
of  each  state  require  shall  be  filled  out  and  sent,  one  to 
the  common  council,  one  to  the  State  Library  Commission, 
and  one  to  be  kept  on  file  at  the  library. 

A  decision  should  be  made  at  the  beginning  of  the  year  as 
to  what  statistics  are  essential.  The  records  should  be 
accurately  kept,  and  form  the  basis  for  the  monthly  and 
annual  reports  to  the  board.  The  circulation  statistics 
should  be  recorded  by  classes  at  the  end  of  each  day.  For 
those  using  the  Decimal  classification,  the  blank  form 
printed  by  the  Democrat  Printing  Co.,  Madison,  Wis.  (five 
cents  each)  will  be  found  convenient.  The  same  form  may 
be  used  for  a  record  of  accessions  by  classes,  taken  from 
the  accession  book  or  order  cards  each  month.  The  regis- 
tration book  will  furnish  the  record  of  borrower's  cards 
issued.  The  daily  record  of  visitors  to  the  reading  and 
reference  room,  while  it  cannot  be  absolutely  accurate,  may 
be  nearly  so,  and  will  be  of  value  as  a  basis  for  comparison 
from  year  to  year.  The  binding  statistics  may  be  taken  from 
the  bills  as  they  are  paid,  or  from  the  bindery  record,  and 
the  withdrawals  from  the  withdrawal  record.  These 
statistics  should  be  kept  up  to  date  and  should  be  complete 
each  month.  If  this  is  done,  the  annual  report  will  be 
very  easy  to  prepare. 

The  annual  report  is  submitted  by  the  retiring  board  to 
the  council  at  the  end  of  the  fiscal  year.     It  consists  of 


ESSENTIALS  IN  LIBRARY  ADMINISTRATION  39 

the  president's  report  of  the  condition  of  the  library,  special 
improvements  during  the  year,  and  special  needs  of  the 
future;  the  secretary's  report  of  finances,  including  the 
budget  for  the  coming  year;  the  librarian's  report  in  de- 
tail, made  to  the  board. 

The  librarian's  report  should  be  something  more  than  a 
collection  of  statistical  tables.  It  should  be  an  interesting 
history  of  the  library  for  the  period  covered.  It  should 
give  the  number  of  the  report  and  the  exact  dates  cov- 
ered. Only  summaries  of  the  statistical  tables  should  be 
included  in  the  text,  and  the  tables  themselves  be  grouped 
together  at  the  end.  It  is  best  to  divide  the  report  into 
distinct  topics.  Attention  may  be  called  to  the  total  num- 
ber of  books  added,  to  the  total  circulation  and  any  re- 
markable growth  in  special  classes,  or  methods  used  to 
influence  the  character  of  the  reading;  to  the  increase 
in  registration  and  any  efforts  put  forth  to  attract  read- 
ers. Gifts,  school  work,  apprentice  work,  children's  work, 
reference  work,  or  any  work  along  the  lines  of  organ- 
ization or  extension  that  have  received  special  attention, 
will  be  of  interest. 

The  report  as  a  whole  should  embody  the  aims  and  ideals 
of  the  librarian  and  her  trustees,  should  record  what  has 
been  accomplished  in  the  past,  and  what  is  being  planned 
for  the  future. 

The  expense  of  printing  the  report  as  a  separate  pamphlet 
is  too  great  for  the  average  small  library,  unless  it  can  be 
utilized  to  advantage  for  advertising  purposes.  It  should, 
however,  be  printed  in  the  local  papers  in  full,  and  usually 
arrangements  can  be  made  to  use  the  same  type  to  reprint 
in  pamphlet  form  at  a  nominal  cost  for  paper  and  press 
work. 

ORDER  ROUTINE 

When  selecting  books  enter  each  title  on  a  slip  or  order 
card.  Order  cards  should  be  standard  size  (7.5x12.5  cm.  or 
3x5  in.)  and  may  be  cut  from  stiff  white  or  manila  paper. 
Printed  order  cards  are  convenient  but  not  essential. 

The  following  form  may  be  followed: 


40 


ESSENTIALS  IN  LIBRARY  ADMINISTRATION 


O 
bo 
a 


u 

3 


4> 

H 


bo 

S 


3 


Oh 


"d        ** 

0)  o 


o 
O 


o 


a. 
Q 


Pi^ 


o 
U 


o 


•d 

4) 
> 

8 

Pi 


ESSENTIALS  IN  LIBRARY  ADMINISTRATION  41 

The  simplest  order  slips  should  contain:  author's  name; 
title  of  book;  publisher;  number  of  volumes;  edition;  list 
price;  date  ordered;  source;  date  received;  cost. 

File  order  cards  alphabetically  by  authors.  Compare 
with  catalog  and  outstanding  orders  to  avoid  duplicates; 
check  on  card  if  not  in  library;  or,  if  an  intentional  dupli- 
cate, enter  call  number.  Write  order  from  slips  and  keep 
a  duplicate  in  library.  If  written  by  hand,  a  pen  carbon 
letter  book  is  convenient  and  inexpensive.  Enter  date  and 
name  of  agent  on  order  cards.  When  books  are  received 
check  books  with  bill  to  see  that  both  are  correct.  Check 
bill  with  order  cards,  compare  list  prices,  figure  discounts, 
and  enter  net  prices  on  order  cards. 

Working  from  cards,  compare  editions  and  publishers 
ordered  with  title  pages  of  books;  and  pencil  date,  source 
and  cost  on  first  recto  following  title  page,  one  inch  from 
the  top  and  one  inch  from  the  inside  margin,  in  a  straight 
line.  Avoid  disfiguring  title  page  with  entries  of  any  kind. 
Enter  date  of  receipt  on  order  card.  Verify  bill  footings 
and  sign  bill  with  name  and  oflacial  title.  File  order  cards 
in  index  of  orders  received  when  call  numbers  have  been 
entered  upon  them.  Order  cards  may  receive  call-niunber 
and  become  the  shelf-list. 

MECHANICAL  PREPARATION  OF  BOOKS 

After  books  are  checked  they  must  be  examined  for  im- 
perfections and  must  be  carefully  opened,  cut,  and  stamped 
with  some  mark  of  ownership. 

To  open  a  book:  hold  the  book  with  its  back  on  a  smooth 
or  covered  table;  let  the  front  board  down,  then  the  other, 
holding  the  leaves  in  one  hand  while  you  open  a  few  leaves 
at  the  back,  then  a  few  at  the  front,  and  so  go  on,  alternate- 
ly opening  front  and  back,  gently  pressing  open  the  sections 
until  you  reach  the  centre  of  the  volume.  Do  this  two  or 
three  times  and  you  will  obtain  the  best  results.  Open  the 
volume  violently  or  carelessly  in  any  one  place,  and  you  will 
likely  break  the  back.    Never  force  the  back;  if  it  does  not 


42  ESSENTIALS  IN  LIBRARY  ADMINISTRATION 

yield  to  gentle  opening,  rely  upon  it  the  back  is  too  tightly 
or  strongly  lined. 

For  uncut  leaves  use  a  flat  bone  or  ivory  cutter.  Be 
careful  to  cut  to  corners  but  not  into  sections.  A  sharp 
knife  or  other  instrument  is  likely  to  cut  the  margins  and 
otherwise  damage  the  book.  Sandpaper  the  rough  tops  or 
edges.  Books  with  misplaced  or  missing  pages  should  be 
returned  to  the  publisher,  shopworn  or  damaged  books 
to  the  agent. 

The  mark  of  ownership  may  be  a  perforating,  embossing, 
or  rubber  ink  stamp.  The  perforating  stamp  is  the  best 
but  most  expensive;  a  rubber  stamp  is  easily  erased  and 
unsightly;  the  embossing  stamp  is  satisfactory,  and  not 
expensive.  The  stamp  should  contain  the  oflBcial  name  of 
library,  place  and  state.  Plain,  business-like  type,  not  too 
large,  should  be  used,  and  ornamentation,  curves,  and  sharp 
edges  avoided,  especially  in  the  embossing  stamp.  Stamp 
the  title  page  and  one  other  selected  for  that  purpose. 
Stamp  important  plates  and  illustrations  if  not  paged  in. 
If  an  embossing  stamp  is  used,  stamp  at  varying  distances 
from  the  top  of  page  to  avoid  too  great  thickness  in  any 
one  place.    Always  stamp  straight  across  the  page. 

If  a  bookplate  is  used,  place  on  inside  of  front  cover  in 
the  center.  A  bookplate  should  always  be  used  for  gifts, 
containing  the  name  of  the  library,  and  the  words 
"Given  by." 

The  book  pocket  should  be  carefully  folded  over  a  book 
card,  and  creased  with  a  bone  folder.  Paste  on  the  edges 
only,  and  place  on  the  inside  of  back  cover  in  the  center,  or 
a  little  below,  so  that  the  book  card  will  not  project  beyond 
the  book. 

For  labeling  select  a  plain  white  gummed  label,  Denni- 
son's  A  44  (round),  or  A  16  (oblong);  separate  the  labels 
carefully  as  they  are  liable  to  stick  together.  Place  labels 
at  a  uniform  distance  from  the  bottom  of  the  books,  say 
one  inch,  unless  important  print  is  thereby  covered.  To 
secure  the  best  results  cut  from  celluloid  or  photograph  film 
a  square  with  a  diameter  equal  to  two  inches,  plus  the 


ESSENTIALS  IN  LIBRARY  ADMINISTRATION  43 

diameter  of  the  label.  Cut  a  hole  exactly  in  the  center  the 
size  and  shape  of  the  label,  and  if  the  latter  is  round,  the 
marker  will  be  accurate  no  matter  which  edge  is  placed  at 
the  bottom  of  the  book.  Place  the  marker  in  position,  and 
with  a  camel's  hair  brush  dipped  in  strong  ammonia,  re- 
move the  sizing  from  the  place  where  the  label  is  to  go. 
The  marker  will  also  prevent  the  ammonia  from  discolor- 
ing the  binding  beyond  the  label.  Allow  it  to  dry,  dip  the 
label  in  warm  water,  press  in  place  on  the  book,  and  rub 
firmly  until  every  part  has  adhered. 

Mark  the  call  number  on  the  label  in  plain  figures  with 
India  ink;  allow  the  ink  to  dry  thoroughly;  varnish  the 
label  with  white  shellac,  cover  the  label  and  extend  one- 
eighth  of  an  inch  beyond.  The  varnished  label  may  be 
washed  when  soiled. 

Book  cards  may  now  be  written,  and  should  contain  call 
number  on  the  top  line,  followed  by  surname  of  author, 
brief  title,  and  accession  number. 

To  remove  old  labels,  cut  pieces  of  blotting  paper  the 
exact  size  of  the  labels,  soak  in  water  and  press  firmly  upon 
the  old  labels;  remove  in  ten  minutes  and  the  label  will 
come  off  with  the  blotter.  Never  scrape  the  label  with  a 
knife  as  it  is  liable  to  injure  the  binding.  If  the  labels 
have  been  varnished,  an  application  of  ammonia  will  re- 
move the  varnish.  Care  must  be  taken  not  to  discolor  the 
binding  beyond  the  place  to  be  covered.  Books  with  light 
or  white  covers  may  be  varnished  the  same  as  labels,  and 
washed  when  soiled. 

ACCESSIONING 

The  accession  record  is  a  chronological  list  of  the  books 
added  to  the  library,  and  should  be  absolutely  accurate.  It 
is  a  most  important  business  record.  Upon  it  is  based  the 
insurance,  from  it  is  found  the  number  of  volumes  in  the 
library,  and  if  the  usual  accession  book  is  used,  a  complete 
history  of  each  book  may  be  kept  from  entry  to  with- 
drawal. 

Two  methods  of  keeping  this  record  are  in  use:  the  com- 


44 


E88ENTIAL8  IN  LIBRARY  ADMINISTRATION 


mon  method  records  volumes  singly  and  gives  to  each  an 
Individual  accession  number;  the  other  method  records  the 
bills  and  gives  to  each  book  its  special  bill  number. 

The  inexperienced  or  untrained  librarian  is  advised  to 
adopt  the  former  method.  For  this  purpose  secure  from 
the  Library  Bureau  a  Condensed  accession  book  containing 
from  1,000  to  5,000  lines  according  to  the  probable  growth 
of  the  library.  (1,000  lines,  ?1.00;  2,000  lines,  $3.00;  5,000 
lines,  ?5.00.) 

This  book  is  ruled  with  columns  as  follows: 


Number 

Author 

Title 

(left  hand   page) 


Place 

and 

PnbUsher 

Year 

Pages 

Size 

Bind- 
ing 

Source 

C!o8t 

Class 

Book 

Vol. 

Re- 
marks 

- 

- 

(right  hand  page) 


ESSENTIALS  IN  LIBRARY  ADMINISTRATION 


45 


The  lines  are  numbered  consecutively  and  each  volume 
requires  a  line;  when  the  entry  is  made,  the  number  of  the 
line,  called  the  accession  numbers,  is  entered  in  the  book 
above  the  date  of  receipt  on  the  first  recto  following  the 
title  page,  on  page  31,  on  book  card  and  book  pocket. 

Great  care  must  be  taken  to  enter  each  book  and  give  it 
an  accession  number  before  it  is  allowed  to  be  taken  from 
the  library. 

Detailed  rules  for  entering  may  be  found  in  the  front 
of  the  accession  book,  and  should  be  carefully  read  and 
followed.  A  sample  page  filled  out  may  be  found  in  the 
Simplified  Library  School  rules.     (Library  Bureau,  $1.25.) 

If  time  is  very  limited,  entries  may  be  omitted  for  size, 
binding,  pages  and  call  number,  in  the  order  named. 

"When  a  book  is  rebound  or  withdrawn  a  note  may  be 
made  in  the  remarks  column  of  the  accession  book  to  make 
the  history  of  the  book  complete. 

The  second  method  records  accessions  by  bills  Instead 
of  by  volumes. 

Its  chief  claims  to  consideration  are  greater  accuracy  and 
speed. 

The  accession  book  should  be  a  strongly  bound  blank 
book  ruled  as  follows: 


Date 

Bill 
No. 

Source 

Vols,  Added  by 

Total 
Addi- 
tions 

Pur- 
chase 

Gift 

Bind- 
ing 

Other 

Cost 

(left  hand  page) 


46 


ESSENTIALS  IN  LIBRARY  ADMINISTRATION 


Vols.  Withdrawn 

Bal- 
ance 

Remarks 

Pamphlets        | 

Con- 
demn- 
ed 

Lost 
Paid 
for 

Lost 
not 
Paid 
for 

Miss- 
ing 

Dup. 

Total 

Reo'd 

With- 
drawn 

Bal- 
ance 

(right  hand  page) 

Bills  of  each  dealer  are  numbered  consecutively  for  the 
calendar  year.  The  accession  number  consists  of  the 
initial  or  name  of  the  dealer  followed  by  the  bill  number 
and  the  last  two  figures  of  the  current  year.  The  3d  bill 
from  McClurg  in  1904,  will  read,  M304  or  McClurg  304. 
This  number  is  entered  in  the  upper  right  corner  of  the 
bill,  in  the  usual  places  in  the  book,  in  the  accession  book, 
on  the  shelf  card,  and  on  the  order  card,  and  takes  the 
place  of  the  usual  accession  number.  If  initials  of  dealers 
conflict,  two  letters  may  be  used,  or  the  full  names. 

For  gifts  a  memorandum  may  be  made  in  the  form  of  a 
bill,  containing  name  of  donor,  brief  author  and  title  of 
book,  and  value  if  known,  and  is  entered  in  the  same  way. 

Books  added  by  binding  are  accessioned  from  the  bind- 
ing bill.  Unbound  periodicals  purchased  are  accessioned 
from  the  original  bills,  and  the  cost  of  binding  added  in 
cost  column. 

With  this  method  Library  Bureau  33  1  cards  should  be 
used  for  shelf  cards,  and  the  name  of  publisher  and  place 
should  be  included  in  Imprint. 

All  bills  should  be  filed  first  alphabetically  and  second 
numerically,  and  should  be  carefully  kept  for  reference,  and 
insurance  purposes. 

Whatever  accession  method  is  used,  a  record  of  books  by 
classes  should  be  kept.    If  the  first  method  is  in  use  then 


ESSENTIALS  IN  LIBRARY  ADMINISTRATION  47 

statistics  may  be  taken  from  the  accession  book,  if  the 
call  number  is  entered,  otherwise  from  the  order  cards 
or  shelf  cards.  In  the  second  case  the  order  cards  may  be 
kept  filed  by  bills  until  all  books  of  a  bill  are  classified. 
Statistics  may  then  be  taken  from  these  cards  and  the 
total  number  of  volumes  must  correspond  with  the  number 
entered  in  the  accession  book  from  that  bill.  With  this 
method  the  shelf  cards  can  be  filed  promptly.  It  will  save 
time  and  trouble  to  take  these  statistics  frequently  and 
keep  them  up  to  date  rather  than  leave  them  until  the  end 
of  the  year. 

If  statistics  by  classes  have  not  been  kept,  an  actual 
count  of  cards  in  the  shelf  list  under  each  class  will  be 
necessary,  and  the  total  number  must  correspond  to  the 
number  of  accessions  minus  the  withdrawals.  Statistics 
of  reference  books  should  be  kept  separately. 

To  change  from  the  old  to  the  new  accession  method, 
accession  all  books  to  date,  by  the  old  method,  transfer  the 
total  number  of  accessions  and  the  total  withdrawals  to  the 
new  book,  and  continue  by  the  new  method  with  bills  re- 
ceived after  that  date. 

CLASSIFICATION 

For  convenience  books  treating  of  the  same  subject 
should  be  arranged  together  on  the  shelves. 

Systems  of  classification  have  been  devised  for  this  pur- 
pose, and  one  of  the  best  should  be  adopted  and  consistently 
followed. 

The  two  most  widely  used  are  the  Dewey  Decimal  and 
the  Cutter  Expansive  systems.  The  former  is  used  largely 
by  public  libraries,  and  is  recommended  because  of  its 
simpler  notation.  The  abridged  edition  will  answer  the 
needs  of  a  small  library. 

The  class  numbers  having  been  assigned,  books  should 
be  arranged  under  each  class  alphabetically  by  authors. 
The  Cutter  Alfabetic  author  tables  should  be  used  to 
assign  book  numbers.  The  call  number,  consisting  of  class 
and  book  number,  is  entered  in  the  book  on  the  first  recto 


48  ESSENTIALS  IN  LIBRARY  ADMINISTRATION 

following  the  title  page,  on  page  31,  and  on  the  book  card, 
book  pocket  and  label,  in  the  accession  book,  and  on  the 
shelf  and  catalog  cards. 

The  books  are  arranged  on  the  shelves  first  in  numeric 
order  by  class  numbers,  second  in  alphabetic  order  by  book 
numbers.  The  call  number  on  the  catalog  card  directs  the 
borrower  to  the  exact  place  on  the  shelf  where  the  book 
may  be  found. 

Children's  books,  fiction,  biography,  and  travel  should  be 
shelved  nearest  the  loan  desk  in  the  order  named. 

The  class  number  should  be  omitted  for  fiction,  and  the 
books  arranged  alphabetically  by  author  numbers.  In  biog- 
raphy 920  may  be  used  for  collective  and  B  or  921  for  in- 
dividual biography.  In  individual  biography  book  numbers 
should  be  assigned  from  the  subject  instead  of  from  the 
author  of  the  book,  so  that  all  biographies  of  one  person 
may  be  found  together  under  his  name. 

Classification  should  not  be  attempted  by  one  who  has 
had  neither  instruction  nor  experience.  Work  not  well  done 
will  eventually  have  to  be  done  again,  and  reorganization 
later  will  cost  more  than  good  organization  in  the  begin- 
ning. Till  the  work  can  be  properly  done,  classify  books  by 
the  Decimal  system,  use  the  first  two  figures  only  of  the 
class  and  leave  space  for  others  wherever  the  call  number 
is  entered.  The  correct  section  number  may  be  assigned 
later,  and  few  erasures  will  be  necessary.  If  not  certain  of 
the  division  number  use  only  the  first  number  of  the  class; 
i.  e.,  a  book  on  physics  will  be  given  the  number  53,  a  book 
on  botany  58,  a  book  on  science  not  clearly  belonging  to  a 
specific  division,  or  uncertain,  will  be  given  the  number  5; 
the  full  classification  may  be  added  later  with  much  less 
work  than  a  change  of  figures  will  require.  Omit  book 
numbers,  and  arrange  alphabetically  under  each  class. 

For  aid  In  classification  the  A.  L.  A.  Catalog,  A.  L.  A. 
Booldist,  Carnegie  (Pittsburgh)  Catalog  and  Bulletins, 
Salem  Public  Library  Bulletin,  and  the  New  York  State  Li- 
brary Bulletin  of  best  books  (annual),  are  the  best. 

Book  numbers   must  never  be  assigned  from  another 


ESSENTIALS  IN  LIBRARY  ADMINISTRATION  49 

catalog.  Numbers  must  be  assigned  from  the  tables  and 
compared  with  the  shelf  list  to  avoid  conflicts  in  the  same 
class. 

Classification  aids  must  be  used  with  judgment  with  ref- 
erence to  the  kind  of  library  and  local  needs. 

For  children's  books  use  the  same  system,  with  a  plus 
sign  or  small  "y"  before  the  class  number  as  in  the  A.  L.  A. 
Catalog.  It  is  well  to  simplify  the  classification,  and  use 
only  the  broader  class  numbers.  Three  figures  with  a  few 
exceptions  will  be  sufficient. 

SIMPLIFIED   DEWEY   DECIMAL   CLASSIFICATION 

000  GENERAL  WORKS— 

010  Bibliography 

020  Library  economy 

030  General  cyclopedias 

040  Philosophical  systems 

050  General  periodicals 

060  General  societies 

070  Newspapers 

080  Special  libraries.     Polygraphy 

090  Book  rarities 

100  PHILOSOPHY— 

110  Metaphysics 

120  Special  metaphysical  topics 

130  Mind  and  body 

140  Philosophical  systems 

■»— 150  Mental  faculties.    Psycliqlogy 

160  Logic.    Dialectics 

170  Ethics 

180  Ancient  philosophers 

190  Modern  philosophers 

200  RELIGION— 
210        Natural  theology 
-8«0        Bible 
230        Doctrinal.    Dogmatics.    Theology 
240        Devotional.     Practical 


M  ESSENTIALS  IN  LIBRARY  ADMINISTRATION 

250  Homiletic.     Pastoral.     Parochial 

260  Church.    Institutions.    Work 

270  Religious  history 

280  Christian  churches  and  sects 

290  Ethnic.    Non-Christian 

.     300  SOCIOLOGY— 

310  Statistics 

320  Political  science 

330  Political  economy 

340  Law 

350  Administration 

360  Associations  and  institutions 

—370  Education 

380  Commerce.     Communication 

390  .     Customs.    Costumes.    Folklore 

400  PHILOLOGY— 

410  Comparative 

«i420  English 

430  German 

440  French 

450  Italian 

460  Spanish 

470  Latin 

480  Greek 

490  Minor  languages 

500  NATURAL  SCIENCE— 

"^-SIO  Mathematics        c>    /  / 

520  Astronomy 

530  Physics 

540  Chemistry 

550  Geology 

560  Paleontology 

570  Biology 

^  580  Botany 

^  590  Zoology 

600  USEFUL  ARTS— 

610  Medicine 


E88ENTIAL8  IN  LIBRARY  ADMINISTRATION  51 


620 

Engineering 

630 

Agriculture 

— 640 

Domestic  economy 

650 

Communication.     Commerce 

660 

Chemical  technology 

670 

Manufactures 

680 

Mechanic  trades 

690 

Building 

700 

FINE  ARTS— 

710 

Landscape  gardening 

720 

Architecture 

730 

Sculpture 

740 

Drawing.    Decoration.    Design 

750 

Painting 

760 

Engraving 

770 

Photography 

-^80 

Music 

790 

Amusements 

800 

LITERATURE— 

810 

American 

820 

English 

830 

German 

840 

French 

850 

Italian 

860 

Spanish 

870 

Latin 

880 

Greek 

890 

Minor  languages 

"     900 

HISTORY— 

910 

Geography  and  travels 

920 

Biography 

930 

Ancient  history 

Modern 

940 

Europe 

950 

Asia 

960 

Africa 

970 

North  America 

02  ESSENTIALS  IN  LIBRARY  ADMINISTRATION 

980  South  America 

990  Oceanica  and  polar  regions 

CLASSIFICATION     FOR     CHILDREN'S     BOOKS      FOR 

LIBRARIES   WHICH    USE    THE    DEWEY 

DECIMAL   CLASSIFICATION 


030 

General  reference  books — Cyclopedias 

050 

Periodicals 

100 

Ethics 

220 

Bible  stories 

290 

Mythology 

320 

Our  government 

395 

Etiquette 

398 

Legends,  folklore,  fairy  tales 

400 

Language 

500 

Science  and  nature    (General  works) 

520 

Sun,  moon,  and  stars 

530 

Physics — Electricity 

550 

Earth 

580 

Trees,  flowers 

590 

Animal  life  (Including  animal  stories) 

595 

Insects 

598 

Birds 

600 

Industries  and  inventions    (How  to  make  and  do 

things) 

700 

Music  and  painting  (Fine  arts  in  general) 

790 

Sports  and  games 

800 

Literature  (May  put  school  readers  here) 

811 

Poetry 

812 

Plays 

910 

Travel  in  general 

914 

Travel  in  Europe 

915 

Travel  in  Asia 

916 

Travel  in  Africa 

917 

Travel  in  North  America 

917.2 

Travel  in  Mexico,  Central  America  and  the  West 

Indies 

917.3 

Travel  in  U.  S. 

ES8ENTIAL8  IN  LIBRARY  ADMINISTRATION  53 

918  Travel  in  South  America 

919  Travel  in  Australia,  the  Islands  and  Arctic  Regions 

920  Stories   of   famous   people — Biography — collective 

921  or  B  Individual  biography 

Always  take  book  number  for  individual  biography  from  the  name  of 
the  person  written  about. 

930        Life  in  ancient  countries — Ancient  history 

940  Europe — History,  and  General  History  (May  extend 
this  for  large  collections  by  using  942  for  Eng- 
land, 943  for  Germany,  and  944  for  France) 

970        American  Indians  and  stories  of  Indian  life 

973        U.  S.  History— General 

973.2  Colonial  times 

973.3  Revolution 

973.7  Civil  War 

973.8  Spanish-American  War 

These  sub-divisions  should  be  used  only  when  there  are  two  or  more 
books  in  each. 

977        History  of  the  middle  west 

Take  book  numbers  from  the  Cutter  author  table. 

CUTTER    EXPANSIVE    CLASSIFICATION    ARRANGED 
FOR  A  SMALL  LIBRARY 

A  GENERAL  WORKS 

Ap  General  periodicals 

Ar  Reference  works 

As  General  societies 

B  PHILOSOPHY,  including  LOGIC 

Bm  Ethics 

Br  RELIGION  and  RELIGIONS,  including  FOLKLORE 

Ca  Judaism 

Cb  Bible 

Cc  Christianity 

Cce  Fathers 

Ce  Evidences 

Of  Doctrines 

Ck  Ethical  theology 


54  EBSENTIAL8  IN  LIBRARY  ADMINISTRATION 


cp 

Church  polity  and  ritual 

Cx 

Pastoral  theology 

D 

Church  history 

E 

BIOGRAPHY 

F 

HISTORY,  ANTIQUITIES 

G 

GEOGRAPHY,    TRAVELS,    MAPS,    MANNERS    and 

CUSTOMS 

H 

SOCIAL  SCIENCES 

Hb 

Statistics 

He 

Economics 

H£ 

Labor 

Hk 

Commerce 

Hm 

Money  and  private  Finance 

Ht 

Taxation  and  public  Finance 

I 

Crime,  Charity,  Providence 

Ik 

Education 

J 

Government 

K 

Law 

L 

NATURAL  SCIENCES 

Lb 

Mathematics 

Lh 

Physics 

Lo 

Chemistry 

Lr 

Astronomy 

M 

Natural  history 

Mg 

Geology 

My 

Biology 

N 

Botany 

0 

Zoology 

Pw 

Anthropology,  Ethnology,  Ethnography 

Q 

MEDICINE 

R 

ARTS   (General  works,  Exhibitions,  Patents,  Metric 

arts) 

Rd 

Mining  and  Metallurgy 

Rg 

Agriculture 

Rt 

Chemic  and  Electric  arts 

Ry 

Domestic  arts 

s 

Engineering  and  building 

T 

Manufactures  and  Handicrafts 

ESSENTIALS  IN  LIBRARY  ADMINISTRATION  55 


V 

Military  and  Naval  arts 

V 

Athletic  and  Recreative  arts 

Vv 

MUSIC 

W 

GRAPHIC  AND  PLASTIC  ARTS 

We 

Landscape  gardening 

Wf 

Architecture 

Wj 

Sculpture 

Wp 

Painting  and  drawing 

Wq 

Engraving 

Wr 

Photography 

Ws 

Decorative  arts  (including  Costume) 

X 

LANGtJAGE 

Y 

LITERATURE 

Yf 

Fiction 

Z 

Book  arts 

Zp 

Libraries 

zt 

Bibliography 

Zy 

Literary  history 

This  can  be  shortened  by  including  Ar  in  A;  Bm  in  B; 
Ca  in  Br;  Cce,  Ce,  Cf,  Ck,  Cp,  and  Cx  in  Cc;  (or  even  put- 
ting Br,  Ca,  Cb,  Cc  together  and  marking  them  C) ;  Hb,  He, 
Hf,  Hk,  Hm,  Ht,  in  H;  Lo  and  Lr  in  Lh;  Rd,  Rg,  Rt,  Ry, 
S.  T  in  R;  We,  Wf,  Wj,  Wp,  Wq,  Wr,  Ws  in  W;  and  Zp, 
zt,  Zy  in  Z. 

History  and  geography  must  be  and  many  other  subjects 
may  be  divided  locally.  Of  the  505  distinct  marks  for  coun- 
tries provided  by  the  "local  list"  the  most  important  are 
13  Polar  regions,  16  Pacific  ocean  and  islands,  26  Atlantic 
ocean  and  islands,  30  Europe,  31  Greece  and  Rome,  36  Italy, 
39  France,  45  England,  47  Germany,  53  Northern  Europe, 
60  Asia,  70  Africa,  80  America,  83  United  States,  98  South 
America.  (E.  g.,  X39  French  language,  F47  German  hiS: 
tory.) 

SHELF  LIST 
The  shelf  list  is  a  classified  record  of  the  books  in  the 
order  in  which  they  stand  on  the  shelves,  and  ranks  in 
importance  next  to  the  accession  book. 


56  ESSENTIALS  IN  LIBRARY  ADallNISTRATION 

Its  various  uses  are  for  inventory;  to  assist  in  classifica- 
tion, by  showing  what  books  have  been  assigned  to  certain 
classes;  to  serve  as  a  list  of  book  numbers  and  guard 
against  conflicts;  to  aid  in  book  buying,  by  showing  which 
classes  are  well  represented,  and  which  need  additions; 
to  be  used  as  a  classed  catalog  until  a  dictionary  catalog 
can  be  provided.  The  guides  should  contain  subject  words 
as  well  as  numbers  to  indicate  the  various  classes.  When 
time  and  service  are  limited,  the  fiction  shelf  list  may 
always  be  used  as  fiction  catalog.  The  title  cards  may  be 
filed  with  the  author  cards,  or  kept  in  a  separate  file, 
whichever  Is  more  convenient. 

The  card  shelf  list  is  the  most  convenient  form  in  use. 
Each  work  and  not  each  volume  requires  a  card.  Different 
volumes  and  copies  of  the  same  book  are  entered  on  the 
same  card.  The  briefest  entry  should  give  the  call  number, 
author's  name,  brief  title,  date  of  publication,  and  acces- 
sion number.  If  the  second  accession  method  Is  used, 
referred  to  in  accessioning,  the  name  of  the  publisher 
should  be  added  to  the  imprint,  and  the  source,  bill  num- 
ber, date  and  price  be  given  in  place  of  the  accession  num- 
ber. 

The  record  must  be  very  accurate,  and  great  care  must 
be  taken  not  to  lose  or  misplace  cards,  as  a  card  lost  is  a 
book  record  lost. 

A  small  (32  1)  card  is  often  used,  but  the  larger  (33  1) 
is  recommended.  If  the  shelf  list  is  to  be  used  as  a  catalog 
for  any  length  of  time,  if  the  second  accession  method  Is 
in  use,  or  if  the  Library  of  Congress  printed  cards  are  to 
be  used  in  the  card  catalog. 

The  cards  are  filed  by  call  numbers,  and  arranged  in  a 
tray  exactly  as  the  books  are  arranged  on  the  shelves. 
Shelf  cards  should  be  filed  promptly  to  have  the  record 
of  book  numbers  always  up  to  date. 

Children's  and  adult  cards  should  be  kept  in  separate  files, 
just  as  the  books  are  kept  on  separate  shelves. 

Rules  for  a  card  shelf  list  will  be  found  in  the  Simplified 
Library  School  rules. 


ESSENTIALS  IN  LIBRARY  ADMINISTRATION  57 


796 

Cam 

p,  Walter 

C15 

374 
8324 

1901 

Cop.  1 
"    2 

Book  of  college  sports. 

Shelf  list,  first  form. 


796 

Cam 

p,  Walter 

C15 
McClurg 

304 

Book  of  college  sports.                   1901. 
-1.17 

Shelf  list,  second  form. 


58  ESSENTIALS  IN  LIBRARY  ADMINISTRATION 

THE  CARD  CATALOG 

A  good  catalog  is  essential  in  the  intelligent  use  of  a 
library.  A  vast  amount  of  information  may  be  contained 
in  a  small  number  of  books,  but  it  is  valueless  to  the  ordi- 
nary reader  unless  some  key  is  provided.  A  good  catalog 
is  expensive,  but  it  is  money  wisely  invested.  It  is  the 
one  method  of  making  each  book  yield  the  greatest  possible 
value,  and  of  making  instantly  available  any  information 
the  library  may  contain.  The  opening  of  the  library  need 
never  be  delayed  until  the  catalog  is  completed,  or  even 
commenced,  but  the  catalog  should  be  planned  for,  and 
made  as  soon  as  funds  permit.  A  small  number  of  books 
well  cataloged  is  far  more  valuable  than  a  large  library 
without  any  guide  to  its  contents.  A  printed  catalog  is 
out  of  date  as  soon  as  printed  and  too  expensive  to  be 
considered  by  the  small  library.  The  dictionary  catalog 
made  on  cards  filed  in  trays  in  a  cabinet  may  be  kept 
strictly  up  to  date,  as  cards  may  be  inserted  as  fast  as  new 
books  are  cataloged.  By  this  method  each  book  is  repre- 
sented by  an  author  and  title  card  and  by  as  many  subject 
cards  as  the  contents  of  the  book  requires.  These  cards 
are  filed  alphabetically  like  words  in  a  dictionary,  hence 
the  name — dictionary  catalog.  When  correctly  arranged 
they  answer  the  questions,  has  the  library  a  book  by  a 
given  author?  by  a  given  title?  on  a  given  subject?  while 
the  call  number  on  each  card  indicates  where  the  book  may 
be  found  on  the  shelves. 

The  making  of  a  catalog  requires  technical  knowledge 
and  skill,  and  familiarity  with  books  and  authors.  It  should 
not  be  undertaken  by  one  who  has  had  neither  training 
nor  experience.  What  to  enter  and  how  to  enter  it  requires 
judgment  and  knowledge.  Not  only  must  each  book  be  ex- 
amined, but  the  catalog  must  be  considered  as  a  whole. 
Forms  of  entry  must  be  uniform,  and  the  treatment  of 
similar  and  related  subject  matter  consistent.  All  the 
works  of  one  author  must  be  brought  together  in  one  place, 
and  not  scattered  under  his  various  pseudonyms.  Subject 
headings  must  be  selected  with  great  care,  preferably  from 


ESBENTIAL8  IN  LIBRARY  ADMINISTRATION  59 

the  A.  L.  A.  list,  synonymous  words  must  be  considered,  the 
best  one  chosen  and  reference  made  from  all  others. 

The  smaller  the  library  the  greater  the  need  of  making 
available  every  bit  of  information.  Not  only  the  general 
subject  of  the  book  must  be  considered,  but  chapters  or 
parts  of  chapters  may  contain  informatior  not  easily  found 
elsewhere,  and  not  indicated  by  the  title  or  the  general 
subject.  Great  judgment  must  be  exercised  in  making  this 
selection  so  that  neither  material  of  value  shall  be  lost, 
nor  useless  cards  cumber  the  catalog.  Four  cards  to  a 
book  will  be  a  low  average  for  go©d  analytical  work.  Poor 
work  is  poor  economy.  If  good  work  can  not  be  afforded 
at  once  it  will  be  better  to  wait.  In  the  meantime  the  shelf 
list  may  be  used  as  suggested  elsewhere,  and  the  order 
cards  may  be  filed  alphabetically  by  authors  to  serve  as  an 
author  catalog. 

Typewritten  cards  are  the  most  satisfactory  and  far 
more  easily  read.  The  small  library  without  a  typewriter 
may  make  slips  and  send  them  out  to  be  copied.  The  library 
itself  may  own  a  platen  with  a  card  attachment,  and  red 
and  black  record  ribbons.  If  the  cards  are  hand  written, 
vertical  writing  or  library  hand  writing  is  the  most  satis- 
factory. It  is  easily  read,  and  if  cards  are  written  by 
several  people,  it  is  more  uniform  in  appearance. 

Good  stock  should  be  selected  for  card  work.  All  cards 
should  be  of  exactly  the  same  size  and  weight.  If  they 
vary  in  either  respect  the  smaller  ones  are  likely  to  be 
overlooked  in  turning  the  cards.  Stock  should  be  bought 
from  a  reliable  supply  house,  and  a  good  quality  selected 
in  the  beginning  and  continued.  Good  ink  that  will  not 
fade  should  also  be  used. 


ESSENTIALS  IN  LIBRARY  ADMINISTRATION 
SAMPLE  CATALOG  CARDS 


796 

Cam 

p.  Walter 

CIS 

Book  of  college  sports.         New  ed.  rev. 
298  p.  illus.        Century,  N.  Y.          1901 

s 

Author  card. 


796 

Book  of  college  sports. 

C15 

Cam 

p,  Walter 

Title  card. 


ESSENTIALS  IN  LIBRARY  ADMINISTRATION 


61 


796 

Sports. 

C15 

Cam 

p,  Walter 

Book  of  college  sports. 

New 

ed.  rev.           298  p.  illus. 

Century, 

N.  Y. 

1901 

Subject  card. 


796 

Foot-ball. 

C15 

Cam 

p,  Walter 

Book  of  college  sports.               p.  88-163. 

Analytical  subject  card. 


62  ESSENTIALS  IN  LIBRARY  ADMINISTRATION 


Athletics,  see 

Spor 

ts 

Cross  reference  from  nearly  synonymous  term . 


1     Games,  see  also 

Spor 

ts 

Cross  reference  from  related  sulDject. 


ESSENTIALS  IN  LIBRARY  ADMINISTRATION  63 

PRINTED   CATALOG   CARDS 

The  smallest  libraries  will  find  it  practical  to  use  the 
printed  cards  issued  by  the  Library  of  Congress. 

The  handbook  of  card  distribution  may  be  obtained  free 
from  the  Librarian  of  Congress,  Card  Distribution  Section, 
Washington.  D.  C.  In  it  will  be  found  directions  for  or- 
dering the  cards.  The  books  bought  by  a  small  library 
will  usually  fall  within  the  scope  of  the  stock.  The  ma- 
jority of  cards  ordered  will  be  received  within  ten  days 
from  the  date  of  ordering. 

The  printed  cards  have  every  advantage;  they  are  pre- 
pared by  expert  catalogers,  are  uniform  in  entry,  legible, 
and  cost  much  less  than  the  same  work  done  in  the  library. 
The  price  of  cards  ordered  by  serial  numbers  arranged  in 
consecutive  order,  is  two  cents  for  the  first  card  for  each 
book,  and  one-half  cent  for  each  additional  card  for  the 
same  book,  if  ordered  at  the  same  time.  For  author  and 
title  orders  arranged  alphabetically  the  first  card  costs 
two  and  one-half  cents^  and  additional  cards  for  the  same 
book  one-half  cent  each.  The  usual  aids  for  ordering  by 
serial  number  are  too  expensive  for  the  small  library. 
Beginning  with  1902  the  N.  Y.  State  Library  Bulletin  of 
best  books  (ten  cents  a  copy)  indicates  the  Library  of 
Congress  serial  number  in  the  left  margin  opposite  each 
title.  The  A.  L.  A.  Catalog,  A.  L.  A.  Booklist,  and  the 
Cumulative  Book  Index  give  the  same  information. 

Subject  headings  are  indicated  on  the  regular  Library  of 
Congress  cards  for  specified  classes,  but  it  is  not  easy  to 
determine  in  advance  which  cards  contain  headings. 

Cards  for  books  selected  from  the  A.  L.  A.  Catalog  may 
be  ordered  at  the  same  time  as  the  books,  and  may  be 
used  for  the  shelf  list.  For  other  cards  it  will  be  well 
to  wait  until  the  books  are  received,  so  that  the  num- 
ber of  extra  cards  needed  may  be  decided  upon  and 
ordered  together.  Books  need  not  be  held  until  cards 
arrive.  Enter  the  call  numbers  on  the  order  cards,  and 
add  any  information  necessary  to  identify  editions;  indi- 
cate subjects  and  analyticals,  including  pagings,  on  the 


64  ESSENTIALS  IN  LIBRARY  ADMINISTRATION 

back  of  each  order  card.  The  several  printed  cards  for  one 
book  are  exactly  alike;  the  call  number  must  be  inserted, 
and  the  title  and  subjects  entered  on  the  proper  cards.  On 
analytical  cards  the  paging  should  be  inserted  on  the  face 
of  the  card  in  some  place  selected  for  that  purpose.  Series 
and  cross  reference  cards  must  be  made  in  addition,  as  they 
are  not  included  in  the  Library  of  Congress  cards.  When 
cards  arrive,  this  information  may  all  be  taken  from  the 
order  cards  without  further  reference  to  the  books.  The 
assigning  of  subject  headings  is  at  once  the  most  difficult 
and  the  most  important  part  of  cataloging.  Headings  suit- 
able for  the  Library  of  Congress  are  not  always  desirable 
for  the  small  library,  and  must  be  modified,  while  many  of 
the  cards  do  not  contain  suggestions  for  headings  at  all. 

Printed  cards  for  the  articles  in  about  250  current  publi- 
cations are  issued  by  the  A.  L.  A.  Publishing  Board.  While 
many  on  the  list  are  for  publications  found  only  in  the 
larger  libraries,  others  are  suitable  for  the  small  libraries, 
such  as 
American   Association   for   the    Advancement    of    Science, 

Proceedings    (addresses   of  the   vice-presidents). 
American  Historical  Association.    Reports. 
Modern  Language  Association  of  America.    Publications. 
National  Academy  of  Science,  Memoirs. 
Old  South  Leaflets. 

Smithsonian  Institution.     Miscellaneous  collections,  quar- 
terly issue. 
U.  S.  Bureau  of  Ethnology.    Reports. 
U.  S.  Geological  Survey.    Reports. 
U.  S.  National  Museum.    Reports. 

beside  the  journals  and  proceedings  of  many  American 
scientific  societies  and  colleges. 

These  should  be  used  as  far  as  possible  if  analysis  is 
desired. 

PRINTED  LISTS  FOR  THE  PUBLIC 

The   demand   for   printed   finding   lists   for    distribution 
may  be  partly  satisfied  with  printed  lists  on  special  topics. 


ESSENTIALS  IN  LIBRARY  ADMINISTRATION  65 

The  weekly  lists  of  new  books  inserted  in  the  local  paper 
may  be  clipped  and  preserved  for  reference. 

Lists  on  gardening,  good  books  for  girls,  electricity,  boys' 
heroes,  biographies  of  great  men,  birds,  and  other  popular 
subjects  may  be  compiled  and  printed  in  the  local  paper. 
In  the  library  bulletin,  or  on  book  marks.  The  library 
bulletin  may  consist  of  library  notes  and  lists  printed  each 
week  in  the  local  paper,  and  reprinted  at  the  end  of  the 
month  in  pamphlet  form,  with  a  few  additions  and  elimi- 
nations. 

In  the  same  manner  the  different  classes  may  be  printed, 
one  or  two  at  a  time,  making  in  the  end  a  complete  printed 
finding  list. 

Book  marks  with  lists  of  books  are  an  excellent  method 
to  stimulate  interest  in  something  besides  the  last  new 
book. 

LOAN    SYSTEM 

The  loaning  of  books  is  a  business  transaction  between 
the  library  and  the  borrower.  Some  method  must  be 
adopted  for  keeping  an  accurate  record  of  books  loaned 
and  returned,  and  of  borrower's  cards  issued.  A  very  sim- 
ple system  will  answer  the  questions,  what  books  are  out 
of  the  library?  who  has  them?  how  many  and  what  books 
were  issued  on  a  given  day?  when  will  they  be  due?  what 
books  are  overdue?  what  fines  are  due?  how  many  times 
has  a  given  book  circulated?  does  the  circulation  of  the 
book  warrant  rebinding,  or  replacing  if  worn  out?  what 
classes  of  books  are  most  read?  of  the  books  circulated, 
what  percentage  is  children's  books,  what  fiction? 

A  book  card  containing  call  number,  author,  title,  and 
accession  number,  is  made  for  each  volume  in  the  library. 
On  the  inside  of  the  back  cover  of  the  book  is  a  book 
pocket  on  which  are  printed  brief  rules  for  borrowers. 
When  the  book  is  in  the  library  the  book  card  is  in  the 
pocket.  When  the  book  is  loaned  the  card  is  removed,  the 
date  of  issue  is  entered  in  the  first  column  and  the  bor- 
rower's card  number  in  the  second,  the  borrower's  card  is 


gg  ESSENTIALS  IN  LIBRARY  ADMINISTRATION 

stamped  with  date  of  issue  and  put  into  the  book  pocket, 
and  the  book  card  is  dropped  temporarily  into  a  tray  or 
drawer. 

At  the  end  of  each  day  the  cards  for  books  issued  that 
day  are  arranged  by  call  numbers,  statistics  are  taken  by- 
classes,  and  cards  are  filed  in  a  tray  behind  a  guide  con- 
taining date  of  issue.  At  the  end  of  seven  or  fourteen  days, 
the  usual  periods  for  which  books  are  loaned,  the  cards  re-' 
maining  under  those  dates  will  show  what  books  have  not 
been  returned.  Fine  slips  are  made  for  these,  and  are  filed 
with  the  cards  under  a  separate  guide.  If  the  books  are 
not  returned  within  five  days  after  date  due,  a  notice  is 
sent  to  the  borrower. 

When  the  book  is  returned,  the  fine  is  figured,  the  date 
of  return  is  stamped  on  the  borrower's  card  and  on  the 
book  card,  the  book  card  is  returned  to  the  book  pocket 
and  the  borrower's  card  to  the  borrower. 

If  fines  are  not  paid  at  once  the  amount  due  is  stamped 
on  the  borrower's  card,  and  the  fine  slips  are  filed  by  bor- 
rower's numbers  in  a  place  provided,  until  paid. 

A  register  of  borrowers  must  be  kept  to  know  who  have 
cards,  and  how  many  cards  have  been  issued.  Each  bor- 
rower signs  an  application  blank,  his  name  is  entered  in  a 
blank  book  with  lines  numbered  consecutively.  The  num- 
ber of  the  line  is  entered  on  a  card  on  which  is  written  the 
borrower's  name,  address,  and  the  date  of  issue  or  of  ex- 
piration. The  card  is  the  borrower's  title  to  the  use  of  the 
library  and  must  be  presented  whenever  a  book  is  taken 
or  returned.  The  borrower's  number  is  also  entered  on 
the  application  blank.  The  application  blanks  are  then 
filed  alphabetically  in  a  tray  or  drawer,  and  constitute  an 
index  to  the  registration  book. 

BLANKS  AND  FORMS 

All  cards  should  be  of  standard  size,  7.5  x  12.5  c.  m., — 
about  3x5  in. 


ESSENTIALS  IN  LIBRARY  ADMINISTRATION  67 


APPLICATION  FOR  THE  USE  OF  THE  g^^^^^ 


Columbus  Free  Public  Library 


No.. 


ColumbuM,  Wis 190...     Date. 


I,  the  undersigned,  living  In  the  city  of  Colnmbns,  hereby  apply 
for  the  privilege  of  borrowing  books  from  the  Columbus  Free  Public 
Library. 

I  promise  to  take  good  care  of  the  books  I  draw,  to  pay  promptly 
all  fines  and  damages  charged  against  me,  and  to  obey  the  rules  of 
the  Library. 

Name 

Age  (~\    Read  this  pledge  carefully  before 

"(Ifaminor)"'  ^-^    signing,    cui  out  with  inlc. 

(see  othkk  side) 


BOBBOWEB'S  APFIilOATION'  BliANK 


GUARANTOR'S  PLEDGE 

o 

Minors  must  obtain  signature  of  Parent  or  Ouardian 

I,  the  undersigned,  a  resident  of  the  city  of  Columbus,  desire  that 

should  have 

(FILL  IN  NAME  OF  APPLICANT) 

the  use  of  the  library  and  promise  to  be  responsible  for  •!  j^^^  |  good 
conduct  in  the  building  and  to  make  good  any  charges  against  |  ^^ 
for  loss,  injury  or  over-detention  of  books. 
Naicb 


(sign  in  ink) 

(see  otheb  bids) 


SAUB.  BEVEBSB 


7  DAV  BOOK 

Not  to  be  renewed  or  transferred 


68 


ESSENTIALS  IN  LIBRARY  ADMINISTRATION 


Special  Privilege  Non-Fiction  Card 
No 

Is  entitled  to  draw  bcx^ks  from  the 

Columbus  Free  Public  Library 

and  is  responsible  for  all  books  taken 

on  this  card  which 

Bxplrea 

Loaned 

Ret'rn'd 

Loaned 

Ret'rn'd 



::::::: 

No ' 

Is  entitled  to  draw  books  from  the 

Columbus  Free  Public  Library 

and  is  responsible  for  all  books  taken 

on  this  card  which 

Bxplrea 

Loaned 

Ret'rn'd 

Loaned 

Ret'rn'd 



Borrower's  Cards.    Full  ruling  on  both  sides. 


No 

Loaned 

Ret'rn'd 

Loaned 

Ret'rn'd 

Borrower's  Card  Reverse.  Book  or  Charging  Card. 


ESSENTIALS  IN  LIBRARY  ADMINISTRATION  QQ 


Columbus  Free  Public  Library 


Columbus,  Wis., 190—. 

Please  return  Book  No entitled 

drawn  on 190 — 

Respectfully, 

LiailARIAN. 


Postal  card  fine  notice. 


Borrower 

Book  No. 

Date  taken 

Date  due 

Date  returned 

1st  notice  sent 

2d  notice  sent 

Reported  lost 

Messenger 

Total  amount  of  fines. 

Paid 


Fine  slip. 


70  ESSENTIALS  IN  LIBRARY  ADMINISTRATION 


Book  Pocsbt. 


rv 

J 

V                  -^ 

Same  Folded. 


Sahb  Revessb. 


ACM>  Pocsn. 


ESSENTIALS  IN  LIBRARY  ADMINISTRATION 
CIRCULATION  STATISTICS 


71 


Month 

1 

2 

3 

Current  per. 

000 

Bound  per. 

100             C 
Philosophy 

200            C 
Religion 

A 

300             C 
Sociology 
A 

1 

400             C 
Language 

600             C 
Natural 
Science     A 

600             C 
Useful 
Arts     A 

700            C 
Fine  Arts 
A 

'800            C 

Literature 

A 

900-909    C 
930-999 
History    A 

910-919    C 
Trayel 

A 

B-920       C 

Biography 

A 

C 
Fiction 

A 

German 
Scandi- 
navian 

Daily  Summary 

Special  Classes 

30 


31 


Monthly 
Statement 


Monthly 
Total 


The  top  of  the  page  has  the  following  items:  Year.  A— Adults' 
books.  C— Children's  books.  Get  statistics  from  a  careful  count  of  the 
book  cards  or  slips.  If  the  library  is  not  open  on  Sunday ,  put  weekly 
statistics  in  that  space  in  red  ink. 


72 


ESSENTIALS  IN  LIBRARY  ADMINISTRATION 


WITHDRAWAL  RECORD 

A  list  should  be  kept  of  all  books  lost,  worn  out,  or  with- 
drawn for  any  reason,  or  the  shelf-cards  only  may  be 
filed  as  the  withdrawal  record. 

A  special  blank  book  ruled  for  this  purpose  may  be 
purchased  from  the  Democrat  Printing  Co.,  Madison,  Wis., 
at  a  cost  of  75  cents,  or  a  well  bound  blank  book  will  serve. 

The  following  form  may  be  used: 


Date 

Number 

Author 

Title 

21  Jnne  '04 

.51 

Fiske,  J. 

Discovery  of  Amorica 

52 

Harris,  J.  C. 

Gabriel  Tolliver 

53 

* 

R4 

(left  hand   page) 


Class 
No. 

Book 
No. 

F54 

Vol. 

or 

Copy 

Accession 
Number 

Cause 

Amount 
Paid 

Bemarks 

973.1 

1 

2172 

Lost  by  *718 

2 

00 

H24g 

1375 

Worn  out 

- 

♦Bor 

rowe 

r's    c 

ard    numb 

er. 

(right  hand   page) 

Withdrawals  may  be  entered  once  a  month,  or  the  book 
cards  may  be  filed  and  entries  made  once  a  year.    Lines 


ESSENTIALS  IN  LIBRARY  ADMINISTRATION  73 

should  be  numbered  as  in  the  accession  book,  and  one 
volume  entered  to  a  line. 

After  the  record  is  made  in  the  withdrawal  book,  enter 
in  the  remarks  column  of  the  accession  book,  the  cause, 
date,  and  withdrawal  number  thus:  Lost  by  718,  21Je04-51. 
Enter  on  the  shelf  card  opposite  the  accession  number  the 
withdrawal  number,  thus:  w.d.51. 

Pile  the  shelf  cards  of  withdrawn  books  alphabetically 
in  a  separate  file  as  an  index  to  the  withdrawal  book.  If 
the  library  has  more  than  one  copy,  make  a  duplicate  shelf 
card  for  the  withdrawal  index,  and  make  note  of  with- 
drawal on  both  cards. 

Note  date  and  cause  of  withdrawal  on  book  card.  All 
book  cards  of  books  withdrawn  and  all  book  cards  that 
have  been  filled  should  be  preserved  and  kept  filed.  Make 
order  slips  for  books  that  are  to  be  replaced,  and  keep  on 
file  until  they  can  be  ordered.  The  withdrawal  book  sup- 
plements the  accession  book.  From  these  two  records  a 
statement  may  be  made  at  any  time  of  the  number  of 
books  received  by  purchase,  gift,  or  exchange;  the  num- 
ber of  books  worn  out,  lost,  sold  or  condemned;  and  the 
total  number  of  books  in  the  library  at  a  given  time. 

BINDING 

The  first  problem  that  confronts  a  library  about  to  bind 
is  the  choice  of  a  binder.  It  is  desirable,  of  course,  to  get 
the  best  binding  for  the  purpose,  at  the  least  possible  cost. 
Several  binders  may  be  asked  to  make  bids  for  the  work 
and  the  binder  who  meets  the  requirements  for  good  honest 
binding  most  satisfactorily  must  be  chosen,  not  the  one 
who  may  quote  the  lowest  prices.  It  is  agreed  by  all  who 
have  experience  in  the  matter  that  there  is  no  economy  in 
cheap  binding.  The  library  cannot  afford  to  experiment; 
good  work  costs  least  in  the  end.  Local  binderies  should 
not  receive  the  work  unless  able  to  do  it  as  satisfactorily 
as  it  may  be  done  elsewhere.  For  addresses  of  good  bind- 
eries write  to  the  commissions  or  to  adjacent  large  libraries. 

Before  sending  to  the  bindery,  each  book  should  be  ex- 


74  ESSENTIALS  IN  LIBRARY  ADMINISTRATION 

amined  to  see  that  the  paging  is  intact.  The  periodicals 
should  be  arranged  by  volume,  not  by  year,  because  refer- 
ences are  made  to  volume  and  page,  and  if  the  book  is  not 
so  arranged  it  is  practically  worthless.  The  title  page  and 
index  should  be  be  placed  with  each  volume,  the  title  page 
in  front,  the  index  at  the  back  unless  paged  to  go  else- 
where. Librarians  should  send  to  the  publishers  for  title 
pages  and  indexes  for  all  magazines  lacking  them.  If  they 
cannot  be  secured  the  binder  must  be  directed  to  leave 
stubs  that  the  pages  may  be  tipped  in  when  found. 

A  slip  should  accompany  every  book,  indicating  the  let- 
tering for  the  back,  and  the  style  of  binding  desired.  The 
librarian  should  decide  on  this  matter;  it  should  never  be 
left  to  the  binder.  Binding  slips  are  furnished  by  library 
supply  houses.  There  are  many  ways  of  keeping  records 
of  the  books  sent  to  the  bindery.  One  of  the  most  con- 
venient ways  is  to  remove  the  book  cards,  and  charge  them 
to  the  bindery.  A  list  of  the  books  should  accompany  them 
to  the  bindery.  The  binder  must  enter  the  price  of  each 
book  on  its  binding  slip,  and  when  his  bill  is  received  it 
should  be  checked  with  prices  on  the  slips. 

In  contracting  with  the  binder,  he  should  be  required  to 
quote  terms  for  periodicals,  of  the  ordinary  she  like  the 
Century,  and  for  the  larger  size  like  Youth's  companion 
and  Harper's  weekly;  also  for  rebinding,  by  size,  of  books 
not  over  1%  inches  in  height,  and  books  not  over  9% 
inches,  of  average  and  of  extraordinary  thickness.  Speci- 
fication should  also  be  made  as  to  the  style  of  binding,  the 
sewing,  lettering,  and  other  details  essential  to  good  bind- 
ing. The  binder  should  also  send  samples  of  leathers, 
papers  and  cloths  numbered  or  lettered,  that  directions 
may  be  given  by  merely  using  the  symbol  of  the  sample  of 
material  desired.  Periodicals  and  books  of  permanent  value 
should  be  bound  in  the  best  materials  the  library  can 
afford.  The  most  important  binding  material  is  that  cover- 
ing the  back  and  corners  because  these  parts  suffer  the  most 
wear.  Morocco  is  the  most  durable  and  beautiful  of  the 
leathers  used  for  this  purpose,  but  is  too  expensive  for  the 


ESSENTIALS  IN  LIBRARY  ADMINISTRATION  75 

ordinary  small  library.  Of  the  cheaper  leather,  red  cow- 
hide makes  a  very  durable  binding  for  the  larger  and  heav- 
ier of  the  magazines,  and  looks  very  well.  Roan,  with  the 
grained,  hard-finished  surface  (the  smooth  spongy  kind 
mars  easily  and  splits)  is  the  cheapest  leather  that  can  be 
satisfactorily  employed.  Black  is  much  used  for  bound  sets 
of  magazines,  but  it  must  be  adriiitted  that  it  grows  purple 
at  the  edges  with  wear.  The  St.  Nicholas  and  other  maga- 
zines and  books  for  children  should  be  bound  in  bright 
colors,  preferably  in  red  buffing  or  roan.  Calf  and  sheep 
are  not  to  be  used  in  any  binding  as  they  are  both  expen- 
sive and  perishable.  Marbled  paper  is  ordinarily  most  sat- 
isfactory for  the  sides  of  the  book,  costing  less  and  wear- 
ing almost,  if  not  quite,  as  long  as  cloth,  and  being  more 
easily  replaced.  Paper  does  not  fray  or  curl  at  the  edges, 
nor  blister  with  moisture,  as  does  cloth.  Silk  head  bands 
should  be  used  for  all  of  the  better  class  of  work,  as  they 
add  not  only  to  the  appearance  but  to  the  durability. 

The  first  essential  of  good  binding  is  strength.  The 
part  of  the  book  which  bears  the  most  strain  is  the  joining 
line  of  the  book  with  its  cover,  consequently  every  device 
which  strengthens  the  fastenings  at  this  line  must  be  care- 
fully examined.  The  first  and  last  signatures  (or  sections) 
should  be  whip-stitched,  or  sewed  with  the  sewing  machine. 
All  books  up  to  octavo  size  should  be  sewed  on  three  bands, 
larger  books  on  four  or  more.  These  bands  are  placed  in 
saw  cuts  at  regular  intervals  at  the  back  of  the  signatures, 
each  of  which  is  sewed  to  the  bands.  The  ends  of  the  bands 
are  laced  firmly  into  the  boards  forming  the  cover.  Hinges 
of  stout  cloth  joining  the  book  and  cover  under  the  end 
papers  also  add  to  the  strength.  Loose  backs  are  recom- 
mended. In  finishing,  all  tooling  and  ornamentation  should 
be  avoided,  except  plain  gilt  lines  to  divide  the  back  into 
panels.  The  lettering  should  be  in  plain  Roman  capitals 
and  Arabic  numerals,  large  enough  to  be  easily  read.  It  is 
a  great  convenience  to  have  the  lettering  placed  in  the  same 
relative  position,  on  all  books,  because  it  aids  the  eye  in 
finding  the  book.     The  following  order  is  recommended: 


76  ESSENTIALS  IN  LIBRARY  ADMINISTRATION 

surname  of  author  in  top  panel;  brief  title  in  second;  vol- 
ume number  in  fourth,  without  prefixing  v.,  or  vol.  On 
magazines  it  is  well  to  add  below  the  volume  the  year,  and 
below  the  year  the  months  covered. 

It  is  well  to  specify  the  time  for  binding.  A  fair  time 
should  be  allowed  that  the  books  may  not  be  turned  out 
green.  If  sufficient  time  is  not  allowed  the  books  to  be 
thoroughly  pressed  and  dried  after  they  are  finished  the 
books  will  warp,  spread  and  sag  after  standing  on  the 
shelves  a  short  time.  If  the  binder  is  hurried  he  will  be 
tempted  to  neglect  this  part  of  the  process. 

Objection  is  sometimes  raised  to  the  rebinding  of  old 
books.  Why  not  let  the  books  wear  out  and  replace  them 
with  new?  This  question  is  easily  answered  by  comparing 
the  prices  of  rebinding  and  replacing.  To  rebind  a  book 
of  average  price,  costing  the  library  ?1.05,  will  cost  35  or 
40  cents,  that  is,  about  a  third  of  the  cost  of  replacing  it. 
Moreover  the  rebinding  not  only  results  in  an  economy 
of  money,  but  the  book  will  wear  two  or  three  times  as 
long  as  it  did  in  the  publisher's  covers.  What  to  rebind  is 
worthy  consideration.  Books  of  merely  temporary  interest, 
books  undeserving  a  place  in  a  good  library,  should  not  be 
rebound,  nor  replaced  when  worn  out.  Recent  books  in 
need  of  rebinding  should  be  sent  and  returned  promptly 
while  patrons  are  anxious  to  read  them.  If  a  book  has 
many  pages  missing,  or  has  been  defaced  by  stain,  ink  or 
soil  that  cannot  be  removed,  it  is  not  worth  binding. 

It  is  impossible  for  one  person  to  tell  another  exactly 
what  determines  good  and  bad  binding.  Study  of  the  proc- 
ess in  the  bindery  and  examination  of  every  book  that 
comes  to  hand,  are  the  best  ways  of  acquiring  judgment. 

Cost  of  binding  varies  so  much  in  different  places  that 
only  approximate  figures  can  be  given.  The  following  prices 
are  given  for  magazines  of  the  average  size,  such  as  Cen- 
tury, Atlantic  and  Forum,  with  leather  backs  and  corners 
and  marbled  paper  sides: 

Turkey  morocco    |1.10  to  |1.35 

American  morocco   85  to    1.10 


ESSENTIALS  IN  LIBRARY  ADMINISTRATION 


77 


Cowhide ?  .70  to  $  .85 

Roan    65  to       .80 

Buffing    65  to       .80 

Good  binding  of  fiction  and  children's  books  should  be 
obtained  for  from  35  to  60  cents. 


BINDING  SLIP  TO  ACCOMPANY  BOOK 


Bd.  No I 

cs 

Acc.  No I 

«e 

Size •* 

e 

Price f 

Style 

(Underscore  or  outline 
proper  word.) 

Color     Light  brown,  dark  brown,   ^ 
black,  blue,  red,  maroon,  green.   »- 

Back  and  comert 

Morocco,  roan,    buffing,  buck-   ^ 

ram,  cloth,  art  vellum.  c 

■C 

Side*  SL 

Paper,  cloth.  £ 

_.  S 

Dtreetxont  m 


Bind  contents  of  magazines  in 
front  and  indexes  in  back  unless 
paged  to  go  elsewhere. 

Insert  stubs  for  missing  pages. 

Betnm  this  slip  with  bound  vol- 
ume. 


Lettering  for  Back. 


78  ESSENTIALS  IN  LIBRARY  ADMINISTRATION 

MENDING 

It  Is  very  important  that  the  books  of  a  library  which 
need  mending  should  be  promptly  and  carefully  repaired. 
Every  book,  when  returned,  should  be  looked  over  for  loose 
leaves,  tears,  or  marks,  and  nothing  should  be  placed  on 
shelves  that  needs  the  least  attention. 

In  putting  in  single  leaves,  or  mending  tears,  thin  onion 
skin  paper  (which  is  transparent)  should  be  used  with 
flour  paste.  Loose  signatures  should  be  sewed  in,  using 
linen  thread  and  a  curved  needle  and  fastening  the  ends 
very  carefully.  Never  use  glue  or  mucilage  in  replacing 
loose  leaves  or  signatures,  and  use  paste  very  sparingly, 
and  only  for  tipping  in  single  leaves  and  illustrations.  Too 
much  paste  on  the  inner  margin  of  the  leaves  makes  it 
impossible  for  the  binder  to  make  secure  stitching  when 
the  book  comes  to  him. 

The  librarian  should  study  the  processes  of  binding  at 
the  local  bindery,  and  learn  what  repairing  may  be  done 
to  advantage  at  the  library.  It  is  better  to  send  books  to 
the  bindery  in  the  early  stages  of  disintegration,  as  a  book 
is  almost  invariably  stronger  after  rebinding  than  it  was 
before,  and  if  the  book  is  allowed  to  circulate  too  long, 
leaves  and  sections  become  lost,  and  the  book  is  not  worth 
rebinding. 

MENDING  MATERALS 

Onion  skin  paper  (ofttimes  obtained  at  the  local  bank); 
paper  cambric — black  and  white;  white  linen  thread; 
needles — No.  4  straight  and  a  few  curved;  thimble;  gummed 
linen  strips  or  Multum  in  parvo  binders  No.  2  (624  Arch 
St.,  Philadelphia) ;  paste — see  Supplies  for  a  1.000-volume 
library. 

DISINFECTION  OF  BOOKS 

Although  statistics  go  to  prove  that  few  cases  of  con- 
tagious diseases  have  been  traced  directly  to  infection  from 
library  books,  it  is  still  wise  to  exercise  great  care.  If 
there  were  serious  danger,  library  assistants  would  be  the 


ESSENTIALS  IN  LIBRARY  ADMINISTRATION  79 

first  to  suffer,  whereas  a  case  of  a  library  assistant  contract- 
ing disease  in  this  manner  has  never  been  known. 

Arrangements  should  be  made  with  the  health  officer  to 
have  every  case  of  contagious  disease  reported  promptly 
to  the  librarian.  The  library  records  should  be  examined 
at  once  to  see  if  anyone  residing  in  the  quarantined  house 
holds  a  library  card,  and  if  there  is  a  book  charged  to  it. 
Notice  must  then  be  sent  to  the  owner  of  the  card  stating 
what  disposal  is  to  be  made  of  the  book.  All  cards  be- 
longing to  quarantined  members  of  the  family  should  be 
withheld  until  the  librarian  is  notified  by  the  health  officer 
that  the  quarantine  is  lifted. 

Many  libraries  burn  all  books  exposed  to  diphtheria, 
scarlet  fever  and  smallpox.  This  should  be  done  by  the 
proper  official  or  it  may  be  neglected.  Fines  should  be 
stopped  on  books  in  quarantine,  and  if  necessary  to  destroy 
them  the  library  usually  bears  the  expense.  If  there  is 
the  slightest  danger  that  the  fumigating  will  be  carelessly 
done,  facilities  should  be  provided  for  doing  it  at  the 
library. 

Vapor  of  commercial  formalin  in  a  closed  space  Is  the 
most  effective  disinfectant.  One  cubic  centimeter  of  for- 
malin to  300  cubic  centimeters  of  air  is  the  formula,  and 
will  thoroughly  disinfect  in  fifteen  minutes.  A  longer  ex- 
posure will  not  answer  for  a  greater  quantity  of  air  per 
cubic  centimeter. 

As  a  rule  few  books  need  disinfecting  at  the  same  time. 
A  small  box  2x2x2  feet  inside  measure,  zinc  lined,  will  re- 
quire about  1/5  of  an  ounce  of  formalin.  A  formaldehyde 
generator  costs  $1.00,  including  one-half  ounce  of  formal- 
dehyde. The  box  should  be  fitted  with  one  or  two  shelves 
made  of  slats  from  one  to  two  inches  apart.  The  first  shelf 
must  be  high  enough  from  the  bottom  to  accommodate  the 
generator,  which  is  four  inches  high.  The  second  shelf 
should  be  movable.  The  books  should  be  spread  open  on 
the  front  edges  of  the  covers,  facing  downward.  The  box 
must  be  closed  during  the  exposure. 

In  case  of  an  epidemic  It  Is  well  to  close  the  library. 


80  ESSENTIALS  IN  LIBRARY  ADMINISTRATION 

Before  opening  again  it  should  be  thoroughly  fumigated 
under  the  supervision  of  the  health  officer. 

FURNITURE  AND  FITTINGS 

The  small  library  should  offer  a  radical  departure  from 
the  formal  plan  of  arrangement  of  tables,  chairs,  and 
fixtures.  Books  should  be  placed  on  shelves  around  the 
walls,  book  stacks  being  added  only  as  a  last  resort  from 
overcrowding.  A  fire  should  be  kept  on  the  hearth  on 
wintry  days,  and  the  entire  equipment  should  invite 
patrons  to  enter  and  to  stay. 

Flooes,  Floors  should  be  as  noiseless  as  possible.  Mat 
tings  and  carpets  collect  dust  and  are  very  insanitary. 
Hardwood  is  noisy  and  undesirable.  The  best  floor  cov- 
ering is  corticine  over  pine  flooring.  It  costs  from  90 
cents  to  $1.10  per  square  yard,  and  may  be  cleaned  the 
same  as  a  hardwopd  floor.  Corticine  is  sometimes  oiled 
with  a  mixture  of  boiled  linseed  oil  and  turpentine  In 
equal  parts.  Tiling  is  the  noisiest  kind  of  flooring  and 
should  never  be  selected  for  places  where  there  is  much 
passing  or  moving  of  chairs.  It  should  be  covered  with 
corticine  where  traveled. 

Walls.  Decorations  should  be  in  soft  colors.  The  buffs, 
greens,  terra  cottas  and  deep  reds  are  the  most  pleasing. 
Spaces  back  of  the  wall  shelving  should  be  painted  to  har- 
monize with  the  finish  of  the  cases.  Pillars  and  all  exposed 
wall  surface  between  cases  should  have  a  hard  finish,  that 
the  paint  can  be  washed  or  they  should  be  boxed  in  with 
wood  panels  when  constructed  of  iron.  The  wood  panels 
should  correspond  with  the  wood-work  of  the  building. 
Projections  from  the  bases  of  pillars  or  cases  should  be 
avoided,  as  they  quickly  become  rubbed  or  marred. 
Mouldings  should  be  provided  in  all  rooms  where  there 
is  wall  space;  if  ceilings  are  low,  cornice  mouldings  are 
best 


ESSENTIALS  IN  LIBRARY  ADMINISTRATION  81 

Lighting.  Tungsten  lights,  suspended  from  the  ceiling, 
are  best  for  general  lighting.  Sufficient  ceiling  lights 
should  do  away  with  the  necessity  for  table  lights  or  side 
lights  over  cases.  Table  lights,  requiring  additional 
wiring  and  permanent  location  of  tables,  should  be  avoided. 
It  is  economy  to  have  sufficient  wiring  or  piping  done  in 
the  beginning,  and  add  fixtures  as  needed.  The  delivery 
desk  should  be  well  lighted;  a  table  or  a  low  chandelier 
may  be  used  for  this  purpose.  A  good  light  should  also 
be  provided  at  the  entrance.  Fixtures  should  be  without 
ornamentations,  which  only  serve  as  dust  catchers.  All 
electric  light  switches  should  center  at  the  delivery  desk 
if  possible. 

SHEI,^^NG:  Wall  cases.  Wall  spaces  in  the  reading  rooms 
and  book  room  should  be  shelved  first.  Until  these  are 
filled  floor  cases  will  be  unnecessary.  Cases  should  be  made 
standard  height.  The  average,  7  feet  2  inches,  allows  for  a 
4-inch  cornice,  6-inch  base,  7  spaces  10  inches  in  the  clear, 
and  6  shelves  1  inch  in  thickness.  Uprights  should  be  from 
one  and  a  half  to  two-inch  lumber.  Shelves  may  be  30 
inches,  never  more  than  36  inches,  long  by  8  inches  deep, 
and  should  be  adjustable.  Metal  pins  for  shelf  supports 
are  best.  Drill  a  row  of  holes  one  and  a  half  inches  from 
each  edge  of  upright,  an  inch  apart,  into  which  the  pins  will 
fit.  On  the  under  side  of  the  shelves  cut  slots  to  fit  the 
projecting  ends  of  the  pins,  so  that  when  the  shelves  rest 
upon  them  the  under  surface  will  be  perfectly  smooth.  The 
base  of  the  cases  may  be  finished  in  cement,  which  will  not 
be  injured  in  cleaning  floors,  and  may  itself  be  easily 
cleaned.  Backing  for  wall  cases  is  a  needless  expense. 
Walls  back  of  cases  may  be  painted  to  match  woodwork. 
If  backing  is  used,  one-half  inch  lumber  grooved  and  fitted 
will  answer. 

Sheoing:  Floor  cases.  Floor  cases  should  be  double 
faced  with  standard  dimensions  for  each  case.  A  partition 
between  is  unnecessary,  but  cross  pieces  without  sharp 
edges  should  be  provided  to  prevent  books  from  slipping 
into  opposite  sections.    Five  feet  at  least  should  be  allowed 


82  ESSENTIALS  IN  LIBRARY  ADMINISTRATION 

between  cases.  Cases  should  not  be  more  than  four  sec- 
tions in  length,  with  aisles  at  both  ends.  Every  alternate 
case  may  be  a  ledge  case,  or  one  case  may  be  suflBcient  for 
over  size  books.  The  ledge  case  will  be  standard  height 
with  a  fixed  ledge  36  inches  above  the  floor,  four  10-inch 
spaces  above  the  ledge,  and  one  each  14  and  15-inch  space 
below.  Lower  shelves  will  be  12  inches,  upper  shelves  will 
be  9  inches,  and  the  ledge  will  be  15  inches  deep.  Shelving 
for  heavy  books  should  never  be  longer  than  30  inches. 
Very  heavy  books  should  lie  flat  upon  the  shelves.  Alcoves 
between  floor  cases  may  be  provided  with  small  round 
tables  and  chairs. 

Shelving:  Reference  shelves.  Sloping  shelves  against 
the  walls  should  be  built  for  atlases  and  dictionaries,  and 
roller  shelves  for  very  heavy  books.  The  latter  have  two 
long  rollers  or  four  short  ones  inserted  in  open  spaces  in 
the  shelf.  These  rollers  project  above  the  shelf  and  the 
books  rest  upon  them.  At  least  one  ledge  case  should  be 
built  in  the  reference  room. 

Shelving:  Children's  shelves.  Cases  in  the  children's 
room  should  not  be  over  6  feet  3  inches  high.  Base  6 
inches,  cornice  4  inches,  shelves  5  inches,  6  spaces  10  inches 
in  clear.  If  the  room  or  corner  for  children's  books  is  only 
temporary,  the  standard  size  may  be  built,  and  the  vacant 
space  above  covered  with  burlap  or  corticine  for  picture 
bulletins.  If  great  economy  must  be  practised,  the  shelving 
in  the  children's  room  and  fiction  cases  may  be  made  sta- 
tionary, allowing  always  10  inches  in  the  clear  for  each 
shelf.  Wooden  pins  may  be  substituted  for  metal,  but  will 
not  prove  as  satisfactory  in  wear  or  convenience. 

Larger  libraries  may  afford  patent  metal  shelving.  The 
State  Library  Commissions  will  be  able  to  furnish  infor- 
mation concerning  the  best  kinds. 

If  temporary  shelving  is  being  put  up,  with  the  prospect 
of  moving  into  a  new  building  in  a  short  time,  it  will  be 
good  economy  to  have  boxes  made  in  the  rough,  30  inches 
long,  8  inches  deep,  and  10  inches  high,  with  a  few  higher 
and  deeper  to  accommodate  the  larger  books,  and  placed 


ESSENTIALS  IN  LIBRARY  ADMINISTRATION  33 

one  above  another  in  the  form  of  shelving.  They  may  be 
fastened  together  with  a  narrow  upright  at  either  end. 
When  ready  to  move,  the  upright  can  be  removed,  papers 
can  be  paclved  in  the  boxes  to  prevent  the  boolcs  from 
shifting,  and  the  boxes  can  be  transferred  to  the  new  build- 
ing and  the  books  to  the  shelves  with  a  minimum  amount 
of  labor  and  confusion.  The  boxes  will  be  useful  later  for 
transferring  books  to  schools  or  branches. 

Shelving:  Estimate  of  capacity.  Find  the  number  of 
books  to  be  shelved.  Allow  at  least  one-third  of  the  space 
for  growth.  A  full  estimate  is  ten  books  of  fiction  to  the 
running  foot,  or  eight  books  including  all  classes.  A  tier 
with  seven  shelves,  36  inches  long,  will  hold  210  ordinary 
books,  or  168  average  books,  not  allowing  for  growth. 
Books  should  never  be  crowded  on  the  shelves.  In  arrang- 
ing them,  leave  one-third  of  each  shelf  vacant  to  avoid 
shifting  as  books  are  added. 

Tables.  Very  long  tables  should  be  avoided.  Round 
tables  seating  four  or  six  people  are  the  most  desirable  and 
convenient.  A  good  size  for  long  tables  is  6  feet  long,  3 
feet  wide,  30  inches  high.  Allow  at  least  30  inches  seating 
capacity  for  each  person,  and  aisles  from  3  to  5  feet  be- 
tween tables.  Tables  should  be  plain  and  substantial,  with- 
out ornamentation.  Avoid  low  side  pieces,  foot  rails,  and 
drawers  which  are  sure  to  be  used  as  waste  baskets.  Slop- 
ing tables  are  not  desirable. 

Children's  tables.  One  table  the  same  height  as  for 
adult  readers  may  be  provided.  The  other  tables  may  be 
in  two  sizes,  22  and  26  inches  high.  The  round  tables  are 
to  be  preferred  in  this  room  also.  The  long  table  should 
not  be  more  than  6  feet  long  by  3  feet  wide. 

Chaibs.  All  chairs  should  be  light  in  weight  and  strongly 
made,  and  must  not  be  easily  overbalanced.  Cane  seats 
wear  out  quickly  and  are  undesirable.  Bent  wood  chairs 
are  the  most  satisfactory  for  weight  and  wear.  It  is  well 
to  have  a  few  arm  chairs  for  other  than  table  use.  Chairs 
should  be  fitted  with  rubber  tips  unless  cork  carpet  is  used. 
Tips  that  screw  into  the  legs  are  the  best.    Avoid  the  cup- 


84  ESSENTIALS  IN  LIBRARY  ADMINISTRATION 

shaped  tips  and  those  that  require  holes  to  be  drilled  in 
the  chair  legs. 

Childben's  chairs.  Chairs  for  the  children's  room  should 
be  in  three  sizes  to  fit  the  tables,  with  seats  14,  16  and  17^ 
inches  high.  Rungs  on  all  chairs  should  be  high,  so  they 
cannot  be  used  for  foot  rests. 

Desks.  A  flat  top  office  desk  will  answer  the  purpose  of 
a  loan  desk  in  the  small  library.  The  drawers  may  be 
fitted  with  partitions  at  small  expense  to  form  compart- 
ments the  correct  size  for  filing  application  blanks,  bor- 
rower's cards,  or  other  library  blanks.  If  a  larger  desk  is 
needed  it  may  be  built  by  a  local  carpenter.  A  flat  top 
desk  in  the  form  of  an  octagon  is  convenient.  It  should 
be  40  inches  high  and  the  top  not  wider  than  24  inches. 
An  opening  directly  at  the  back,  or  preferably  one  at  each 
side  may  be  provided.  The  desk  inside  should  be  fitted  at 
the  most  convenient  points  with  shelves  for  books  returned, 
with  drawers  planned  to  hold  borrower's  cards,  application 
blanks,  postal  cards,  and  miscellaneous  blanks,  with  cup- 
boards to  hold  loan  desk  supplies,  and  with  a  sliding  shelf. 
This  shelf  should  be  26  inches  from  the  floor,  and  a  space 
of  three  inches  must  be  allowed  above  it  to  accommodate 
ink  bottles,  etc.,  when  it  is  closed.  A  half-inch  moulding 
around  the  three  outer  edges  will  prevent  pens  and  pencils 
from  rolling  to  the  floor.  A  cash  drawer  with  lock  and 
key  should  be  convenient  to  the  place  where  the  charging 
tray  is  to  stand.  The  charging  tray  will  stand  on  top  of 
the  desk,  or  be  partly  sunken,  and  should  be  of  the  same 
wood  and  finish  as  the  desk  proper.  If  on  the  desk,  pieces 
of  felt  pasted  on  the  under  side  will  prevent  the  tray 
from  scratching  the  desk  when  moved  about. 

A  low  chair  for  the  sliding  shelf,  and  a  high  bent  wood 
revolving  chair  should  be  provided.  A  foot  rest  at  a  con- 
venient height  under  the  desk  near  the  charging  tray  will 
be  needed.  "Wire  screens  or  glass  partitions  around  the  loan 
desk  are  objectionable. 

A  flat-top  desk  for  the  librarian  will  be  very  convenient 
in  larger  libraries,  aside  from  the  charging  desk. 


ESSENTIALS    IN  LIBRARY  ADMINISTRATION  85 

Cabd  catalog  case.  The  patent  card  cabinet,  although  ex- 
pensive, is  the  best  economy  in  the  end.  The  trays  must  be 
made  to  fit  the  cards  exactly,  and  to  be  interchangeable  in 
the  cabinet;  a  local  carpenter  will  not  be  able  to  do  the 
work  satisfactorily,  or  if  he  is,  it  will  cost  more  than  the 
patent  one.  A  cabinet  with  single  trays  holding  1,000  cards 
of  the  weight  used  by  the  average  library  is  preferable  to  a 
cabinet  with  drawers,  two  trays  to  a  drawer.  Cases  con- 
taining 2,  4  or  6  trays,  ranging  in  price  from  $5  to  $12, 
may  be  obtained  from  library  supply  houses.  If  cards  have 
not  been  ordered  separately,  outfits  including  cabinet,  cards 
and  bristol  guides  may  be  obtained  complete.  In  buying 
stocK  of  cards  needed,  estimate  at  least  three  cards  to  each 
book,  and  buy  enough  cards  to  last  at  least  a  year.  If  a 
cabinet  cannot  be  afforded  at  once,  the  cards  may  be  filed 
in  the  boxes  in  which  they  are  sent,  or  wooden  trays  may 
be  made  to  fit  cards.  These  trays  should  have  partitions 
or  movable  wooden  blocks  to  hold  the  cards  in  an  upright 
position,  and  can  afterward  be  used  for  filing  other  cards. 
Card  trays  should  be  fitted  with  covers  to  protect  the  cards, 
and  with  rods  to  lock  them  in.  Cataloging  is  too  expen- 
sive to  risk  injury  to  cards  from  dust  or  accidents. 

The  cabinets  may  stand  on  a  table,  or  on  a  base  specially 
provided.  The  base  may  contain  drawers  designed  for 
mounted  photographs,  bulletin  material,  or  supplies,  or  it 
may  be  fitted  with  shelves  for  heavy  books.  An  explana- 
tion of  how  to  use  the  catalog  should  be  found  on  or  near 
the  catalog  cabinet.  Directions  should  be  simple  and  should 
include  information  about  how  to  find  the  books  on  the 
shelves. 

Periodical  case.  A  case  may  be  built  into  the  wall  for 
current  periodicals,  consisting  of  pigeon  holes  4  inches  high, 
8  inches  deep,  and  10  inches  long,  above  a  ledge  36  inches 
from  the  floor.  Below  the  ledge  the  shelves  may  be  divided 
to  accommodate  the  larger  magazines.  This  case  may  be 
used  for  the  recent  unbound  files,  and  a  sloping  rack  be 
provided  for  current  numbers.  The  rack  may  be  built  into 
or  against  the  wall,  and  may  consist  of  steps  6  inches  high 


g6  ESSENTIALS  IN  LIBRARY  ADMINISTRATION 

and  2^  inches  deep,  with  slats  3  inches  wide  across  the 
face,  the  tops  of  the  slats  on  a  level  with  the  steps,  allow- 
ing a  space  2  inches  between.  The  library  supply  houses 
furnish  sloping  periodical  cases  with  drawers  of  different 
sizes  in  the  base  for  back  files. 

Book  tkuck.  A  book  truck  may  be  convenient  even  for 
a  small  library,  but  is  usually  too  expensive  to  be  consid- 
ered. It  consists  of  three  strongly  built  shelves  on  wheels. 
It  saves  labor  in  carting  books  from  the  loan  desk  to  the 
shelves,  and  is  convenient  for  holding  new  books  while 
being  cataloged,  for  bindery  books  when  being  prepared 
for  the  bindery,  and  similar  uses.  When  distances  are 
short,  however,  it  is  a  needless  expense,  and  unwieldy  to 
handle.  If  used  it  should  have  rubber  tires.  Prices  may 
be  found  in  library  supply  catalogs. 

Sloping  cases.  Sloping  cases  are  very  convenient  for 
displaying  new  books,  and  books  on  special  topics,  and  for 
receiving  books  returned  to  the  loan  desk.  Such  a  case 
will  be  more  convenient  than  a  truck  for  the  cataloger 
in  a  small  library,  and  can  be  made  by  the  local  carpenter. 

Newspaper  back.  Holders  should  be  provided  if  news- 
papers are  received  at  the  library,  and  a  rack  or  hooks  to 
hold  them  fastened  into  the  wall  if  space  can  be  spared. 

Photogkaph  case.  The  base  of  the  catalog  may  be  fitted 
with  drawers,  or  a  separate  case  may  be  provided  for 
mounted  pictures.  Sometimes  a  wide  partition  between 
rooms  may  be  fitted  up  for  this  purpose.  Two  sizes  of 
drawers  will  be  needed  to  accommodate  the  standard  sizes 
of  mounting  boards,  8i/4xll  and  11x14.  In  addition  one  or 
two  shallow  drawers  at  the  bottom,  the  entire  width  of  the 
case,  may  be  planned  for  the  large  pictures  and  bulletin 
boards.  The  pictures  stand  on  end  in  these  drawers,  and 
are  numbered,  arranged  and  used  like  cards  in  a  catalog. 
If  a  case  is  too  expensive,  ordinary  filing  cases  may  be  used. 

Screens  and  Bulletin  boards.  Unused  shelves  at  the 
tops  of  cases  may  be  covered  with  burlap,  corticine,  billiard 
cloth  or  other  material  for  bulletin  boards.  A  frame  may 
be  fitted  into  an  unused  section  of  a  book  case,  or  into  a 


ESSENTIALS  IN  LIBRARY  ADMINISTRATION  87 

vacant  wall  space  for  the  same  purpose.  A  frame  5  feet 
high  and  4  feet  wide  on  standards  may  be  covered  in  the 
same  manner,  and  is  convenient  because  movable.  It  may 
be  used  to  screen  a  table  or  corner  as  well  as  to  display 
posters  and  pictures.  A  four-leaved  screen  6  feet  high  will 
serve  the  purpose  of  bulletin  board  and  partition  if  needed. 
If  wall  screens  are  backed  with  soft  wood,  thumb  tacks 
may  be  used  for  posting  lists  and  pictures.  Dennison's 
ticket  pins  nos.  25  and  37  may  be  used  in  burlap  and  bil- 
liard cloth  without  injuring  the  wall  behind  it.  A  bulletin 
frame  enclosed  in  glass,  with  lock  and  key,  will  be  found 
convenient  in  the  hall. 

Book  supports.  Book  supports  are  necessary  to  keep 
books  upright  on  the  shelves.  The  appearance  of  the  library 
is  thus  improved  and  the  books  are  kept  from  injury.  The 
covers  of  books  not  kept  upright  will  be  quickly  strained, 
the  threads  will  break,  and  rebinding  soon  be  necessary. 
A  home-made  support  costing  3  or  4  cents  apiece  may  be 
made  from  tin.  The  edges  should  be  rolled  over  copper 
wire  to  remove  sharp  corners.  The  support  will  have  a 
4-inch  upright  and  a  4-inch  flange,  and  should  be  strong 
and  firm  enough  not  to  be  over-balanced  by  the  books.  A 
good  japanned  tin  support  costing  10  cents  each,  or  $7.50 
per  hundred,  is  furnished  by  the  Library  Bureau.  The  Art 
Metal  Construction  Co.  supplies  an  excellent  support  for 
its  shelving,  which  fits  into  grooves  underneath  the  shelf 
above.  They  are  also  sold  for  10  cents.  Sharp  corners  or 
edges  that  may  injure  books  or  shelves  must  be  avoided 
in  all  book  supports. 

Shelf  label  holders.  Labels  of  some  kind  should  be 
provided  for  all  shelves.  Fiction  labels  should  contain  the 
names  of  authors,  and  be  placed  beneath  the  books  by  those 
authors.  Class  labels  contain  the  names  of  subjects.  Books 
are  shifted  from  place  to  place  as  the  library  grows,  hence 
the  labels  must  be  moved,  and  movable  label  holders  are 
necessary.  Library  supply  houses  furnish  label  holders  at 
10  cents  each,  or  a  tin  label  holder  may  be  made  locally  at 


88  ESSENTIALS  IN  LIBRARY  ADMINISTRATION 

less  cost.  In  ordering  from  supply  houses,  the  exact  width 
of  the  shelf  must  be  given. 

Shelf  boom  or  coenee.  A  work  room  or  corner  where 
books  are  cataloged,  mended  and  prepared  for  the  bindery 
should  be  provided  with  shelves  for  books  and  filing  cases, 
drawers  for  catalog  supplies  and  order  cards,  and  cupboards 
for  supplies.  If  a  corner,  it  should  be  screened  from  sight. 
A  table  should  be  provided,  neatly  covered  with  oilcloth, 
or,  if  possible,  with  a  glass  or  marble  top.  This  table  may 
be  made  very  convenient  with  rows  of  drawers  on  either 
side  fitted  to  hold  mending  and  other  supplies,  and  a  small 
cupboard  for  paste,  etc. 

Cloak  booms.  If  possible  a  small  room  should  be  pro- 
vided for  the  librarian  and  assistants,  with  toilet  facilities, 
a  locker  for  hats  and  cloaks  and  other  conveniences.  If 
this  is  out  of  the  question,  a  wardrobe  should  certainly  be 
provided  for  wraps  and  hats,  as  they  are  very  unsightly  if 
left  about  the  room.  There  should  be  hooks,  or  hat  racks, 
and  umbrella  stands  in  a  convenient  place  for  the  public, 
within  sight  of  the  loan  desk.  If  a  separate  public  cloak 
room  is  planned  for,  it  will  need  a  special  attendant,  other- 
wise many  articles  will  be  lost. 

SUPPLIES  FOR  A  1,000  VOLUME  LIBRARY 
Secure  catalogs  from  firms  from  whom  you  order,  and 
order  by  numbers  or  symbols  given  in  the  catalog. 
Obdeb  boutine 

Slips  size  and  shape  of  catalog  cards.  May  have  a 
printed  form  or  write  necessary  items  on  blank 
cards. 

Mechanical  pbepabation 

Flat  bone  or  ivory  paper  knife.    25-50c. 

Embossing  stamp  or  ink  stamp  for  mark  of  ownership. 

$2.50-$4.50. 
Dennison  gummed  labels,  plain  white.     (2,000.) 

No.  A  44,  a  round  label,  is  suggested.  20c  per  1,000. 
Celluloid  label  marker.  (May  be  bought  by  the  inch.) 
Strong  ammonia.    5c. 


ESSENTIALS  IN  LIBRARY  ADMINISTRATION  gg 

Higgins  Eternal  Ink.     (1  bottle.)     25c. 

White  shellac  varnish.    10c. 

Camel's  hair  brushes  for  ammonia,  shellac  (^  inch) 

and  for  paste  (14  inch). 
Paste.     The  following  receipt  is  for  a  library  paste, 
easily  made  and  very  satisfactory: 
One  tablespoonful  of  alum. 
One  quart  of  water. 
One-half  pint  of  flour. 
Mix  the  flour  with  a  small  quantity  of  water,  and 
stir  into  a  cream.    Cook  for  20  minutes.    Dissolve 
the  alum  in  the  water  and  bring  to  a  boil;  stir  in 
the  cream  three  minutes  before  it  is  through  cook- 
ing.   Stir  while  cooking,  strain,  and  add  20  drops 
of  oil  of  cloves. 

Accession  becobd 

2,000-line  condensed  accession  book.    Library  Bureau. 

13.00. 

Withdraw  Ai.  becobd 

Withdrawal  book.     (Democrat  Printing  Co.,  Madison, 
Wis.     75c.)     or  Blank  book. 

Classification 

Dewey  decimal  classification.    Abridged.    Paper,  $1.00. 

Cloth,  n.50. 
Cutter's  decimal  author  table.    Library  Bureau.    $1.25. 
Cutter  expansive  classification.    Library  Bureau.    $5.00. 

Shelf  list 

Shelf  cards  of  standard  size.     (2,000),  $1.25-$1.60  per 
1,000. 

Punched  and  ruled  like  catalog  cards;  specify 
typewriter  ruling  if  machine  is  to  be  used.  If  or- 
dering from  Library  Bureau,  get  32  1  cards,  or 
catalog  cards  of  standard  size.  (2,000),  $1.75-32.25 
per  1,000. 

Buff  bristol  guide  cards  in  3rds  for  shelf  cards.    (100), 
40-50C  per  100. 


90  ESSENTIALS  IN  LIBRARY  ADMINISTRATION 

Tray  for  shelf  list. 

The  shelf  list  may  be  kept  in  unused  drawers  of 
the  catalog  case,  in  the  boxes  in  which  cards  are 
shipped,  or  in  a  wooden  tray  made  by  local  car- 
penter. Cards  must  be  securely  locked  into  the 
tray. 

Cabd  catai-oq 

Catalog  cards  of  standard  size.     (4,000),  $1.75-$2.25  per 
1,000. 

Specify  typewriter  ruling  if  desired.  Quality 
must  be  of  the  best.  If  ordering  from  the  Library 
Bureau,  order  33  1  cards,  from  the  Democrat  Print- 
ing Co.,  standard  catalog  card  No.  3.  Most  dealers 
allow  liberal  discount  for  quantities  of  5,000  and 
upwards. 

4  tray  catalog  case.    $8.00. 

Buff  bristol  guide  cards.     (200),  50-GOc  per  100. 

Library  school  rules.     Simplified  edition,  paper,  $1.00; 
cloth,  $1.25. 

List  of  subject  headings.     $2.50. 

May  be  omitted  until  subject  cards  are  made. 

Loan  system 

Book  pockets.     (2,000),  $2.25-$4.00  per  1,000. 

Printed  with  rules  for  borrowers  and  name  of 
library. 

Charging  or  book  cards  of  manila,  ruled.     (2,000),  75c- 
$1.50  per  1,000. 

Borrowers'   cards  of  yellow  board.      (Quantity  deter- 
mined by  size  of  town),  ?1.50-$2.50  per  1,000. 

Borrowers'  special  privilege  non-fiction  cards,  of  pink 
board. 

Statistics  sheets.     (6),  5c  each. 

(Supplied  by  some  Commissions  without  charge.) 

Borrowers'  application  blank,  manila,  printed  to  order, 
$1.75-$2.50  per  1,000. 

Registration  book  (well-bound  blank  book).    1,000  line, 
$1.75. 

Charging  tray.     (2),  35-50c  each. 


ESSENTIALS  IN  LIBRARY  ADMINISTRATION  91 

Date  guides  (1-31)  in  buff  bristol  (1  set),  25c. 

Rubber  library  dates  (1  set)  1 

Pencil  dater  |- G5-80c  for  outfit. 

Ink  stamp  pad  J 

Fine  slips,  for  fine  record  in  library.     (500),  10c. 

Plain  slips  3x4  inches. 
7  day  slips. 

Shelves 

Book  supports,  tin.     (50) 

Shelf  label  holders,  tin.     (50) 

Printed  case  labels  for  each  large  class. 

Binding 

Printed  binding  slips.    10c  per  100. 

Stationery  and  desk  supplies 
Carter's  "Koal  black"  ink. 
Carter's  fast  red  ink. 
Full  cork  penholders.     (2) 
Half  cork  penholders.     (3) 
King's  No.  9  pen,  or  any  good  long  stub. 
Covered  glass  ink  well  with  opening  wide  enough  to 

admit  cork  penholder. 
Desk  blotters. 
Hand  blotters. 
Hard  pencils.     (2) 
Medium  pencils.     (6) 
Best  knife  edge  steel  eraser.    50c. 
Rubber  eraser. 
Shears. 
Mending  cloths,  hemmed,  18  inches  square.    (6) 


92  ESSENTIALS  IN  LIBRARY  ADMINISTRATION 

PERIODICAL  RECORD 
Vols,  per  yr. 


Year 

Vol. 

Jan. 

Feb. 

Mar. 

Apr. 

May 



June 

July 

Aug. 

Sept. 

Oct. 

Nov. 

Dec. 

Reg.  price Net  price. 

Source 

Publisher 


Ed 

T.  P.  and  Ind. 

Form  1 


ADDRESSES  OF  LIBRARY  SUPPLY  HOUSES 

Library   Bureau,    230    Atlantic    Ave.,    Boston,    Mass.    All 

library  supplies. 
Democrat  Printing  Co.,  Madison,  Wis.    All  library  supplies. 
Leslie  Paper  Co.  Minneapolis,  Minn.    Acme  pockets. 
Clarke  &  Baker,  N.  Y.  City.    Catalog  cases,  cards,  etc. 
The  Globe-Wernicke  Co.,  231  South  Wabash  Ave.,  Chicago, 

111.    Catalog  cases  and  cards. 
Heinn  Specialty  Co.  133-135  Michigan  St.  Milwaukee,  Wis. 

Temporary  binders  for  weekly  papers. 
Multum  in  Parvo  Binder  Co.  624  Arch  St.  Philadelphia,  Pa. 

Mending  materials. 


E88ENTIALS  IN  LIBRARY  ADMINISTRATION  93 

A.  H.  Abbott,  46  Madison  St.  Chicago,  111.    Onion  skin  paper 

for  mending. 
Wm.  G.  Johnston  &  Co.  Pittsburgh,  Pa.  Spring  back  binders. 
The  Dennison  Manufacturing  Co.  90  Wabash  Ave.  Chicago, 

111.    Labels,  pins,  card  holders  and  mending  materials. 

LIBRARY  LITERATURE 

GENERAL  WOBKS 

A.  L.  A.  Manual  of  library  economy.  The  following 
chapters,  each  forming  a  separate  pamphlet,  are  now 
ready.  Price,  10  cents  each;  4  cents  each  in  lots  of  50 
or  more.  A.  L.  A.  Publishing  Board,  78  E.  Washington 
Street,  Chicago,  111. 

1  American  library  history,  by  C.  K.  Bolton. 

2  Library  of  Congress,  by  W.  W.  Bishop. 

4  College  and  university  library,  by  J.  I.  Wyer,  Jr. 

9  Library  legislation,  by  W.  F.  Yust. 

12  Administration  of  a  public  library,  by  A.  E.  Bostwick. 

15  Branch  libraries  and  other  distributing  agencies,  by 

Linda  A.  Eastman. 

17  Order  and  accession  department,  by  F.  F.  Hopper. 

20  Shelf  department,  by  Josephine  A.  Rathbone. 

22  Reference  department,  by  E.  C.  Richardson. 

26  Bookbinding,  by  A.  L.  Bailey, 

Plummer,  Mary  W.  Hints  to  small  libraries 

A.  L.  A.  Publishing  Board,  net,  $0.75 

Contents.  Receiving  and  entering  books;  Book  numbers 
and  cataloging;  Shelf  list  and  inventory;  Mechanical  prep- 
aration of  books  for  shelves;  Binding;  Relations  with  the 
public;  Charging  system;  Reading  room  and  reference 
work;  Selecting  and  ordering  books;  Rooms  and  fixtures; 
Library  tools. 

U.  S.  Education  Bureau.    Papers  prepared  for  the  World's 
Library  Congress,  1893.    No  charge. 

Practical  papers  covering  the  whole  field  of  library  econ- 
omy. 


94  ESSENTIALS  IN  LIBRARY  ADMINISTRATION 

TECHNICAL   WORKS 

American  Library  Association.  List  of  subject  head- 
ings for  use  in  dictionary  catalogs,  3rd  edition 
A.  L.  A.  Publishing  Board  $2.50 

American  Library  Association.  Catalog  rules;  au- 
thor and  title  entry.  Compiled  by  committee  of 
the  A.  L,  A.  and  the  British  Library  Association 
A.  L.  A.  Publishing  Board      .60 

Crawford.     Cataloging Library  Bureau,  nc^,      .15 

Cutter.  Rules  for  a  dictionary  catalog.  Edition  4. 
U.  S.  Bureau  of  Education.    No  charge. 

Decimal  author  table Library  Bureau    1.25 

A  scheme  for  giving  to  each  work  its  own  exclusive  book 

number,  so  contrived  that  the  books  stand  on  the  shelves 
alphabeted  by  authors  under  each  subject. 

Expansive  classification   Library  Bureau    5.00 

Dewey.     Abridged  decimal  classification 

Library  Bureau     1.50 

Simplified  library  school  rules — Library  Bureau    1.25 

A.   L.   A.   catalog   of   8,000   volumes   for   a   popular 

library.  1904.  Supt.  of  Documents 1.00 

A.  L.  A.  Catalog,  1904-1911.    Selection  of  3,000  books 

printed  since  1904 A.  L.  A.  Publishing  Board     1.50 

Hitchler,  Theresa.     Cataloging  for  small  libraries . . . 

A.  L.  A.  Publishing  Board      .15 

Kroeger.     Guide  for  the  study  and  use  of  reference 

books    A.  L.  A.   Publishing  Board     1.50 

Supplement,  1909-10  by  Isadore  G.  Mudge 

A.  L.  A.  Publishing  Board      .25 

PERIODICALS 

Library  journal  (monthly)  New  York Per  year    4.00 

Public  libraries  (10  months  a  year),  Chicago  Per  year    2.00 


ESSENTIALS  IN  LIBRARY  ADMINISTRATION  95 

LIBRARY  COMMISSIONS 

The  first  State  Library  Commission  was  organized  in 
Massachusetts  in  1890,  for  the  purpose  of  promoting  the 
establishment  and  efficiency  of  free  public  libraries.  The 
value  of  having  some  sort  of  a  state  board  to  advance  the 
library  interests  of  the  state  has  been  steadily  shown  by 
the  excellent  results  accomplished,  and  Library  Commis- 
sions have  now  been  created  in  twenty-one  states. 

Although  the  Commissions  in  various  parts  of  the  coun- 
try differ  materially  in  their  methods  and  organization, 
owing  to  variety  of  local  conditions  and  needs,  they  all  have 
as  a  common  aim  the  spread  of  the  free  library  movement 
as  a  department  of  public  education  and  making  good  books 
accessible  to  all  communities.  The  most  important  work  of 
a  Library  Commission  is  the  establishment  of  free  public 
libraries  under  existing  state  laws.  This  is  done  in  some 
of  the  older  states  by  means  of  direct  state  aid,  but  in  the 
western  states  more  often  by  arousing  interest  and  encour- 
aging the  towns  to  go  to  work  for  themselves.  The  Com- 
missions further  assist  in  the  organization  and  administra- 
tion of  libraries,  giving  advice  as  to  selection  of  books, 
cataloging,  and  other  details  of  library  management,  in- 
cluding also  the  training  of  librarians  in  technical  knowl- 
edge, either  in  a  training  school  for  librarians,  or  by  visits 
to  the  library  itself.  They  seek  in  every  possible  way  to 
give  encouragement  and  help,  and  to  increase  the  efficiency 
of  public  libraries.  Through  systems  of  traveling  libraries 
some  of  the  Commissions  also  endeavor  to  reach  the  farm- 
ing communities  and  small  villages  which  cannot  afford  to 
maintain  a  public  library,  with  frequent  accessions  of 
books,  and  small  and  struggling  libraries  have  often  been 
given  a  new  lease  of  life  through  the  frequent  additions  of 
the  fresh  books  furnished  by  the  traveling  library. 


06  ESSENTIALS  IN  LIBRARY  ADMINISTRATION 

ADDRESSES 

Alabama,  Department  of  Archives  and  History,  Division 
of  Library  Extension — Thomas  M.  Owen,  director, 
Montgomery,  Ala. 

California  State  Library,  Extension  Department — James  L. 
Gillis,  state  librarian,  Sacramento. 

Colorado — George  M.  Lee,  secretary,  Denver. 

Colorado,  Trav.  Lib.  Commission — Mrs.  Julia  V.  "Welles, 
president,  Denver. 

Connecticut — Miss  C.  M.  Hewins,  secretary,  Public  Library, 
Hartford. 

Delaware — H.  R.  Harrington,  secretary,  Dover. 

Georgia — Miss  Katharine  H.  Wootten,  secretary,  Carnegie 
Library,  Atlanta. 

Idaho — Miss  Margaret  Roberts,  secretary,  Boise. 

Illinois — Miss  Eugenia  Allin,  organizer,  Decatur. 

Indiana — Carl  H.  Milam,  secretary,  State  House,  Indianap- 
olis. 

Iowa — Miss  Alice  S.  Tyler,  secretary.  State  Historical 
Building,  Des  Moines. 

Kansas — Mrs.  Adrian  Greene,  secretary.  State  Library, 
Topeka. 

Kentucky — Miss  Fannie  C.  Rawson,  secretary,  Frankfort. 

Maine — H.   C.   Prince,  secretary.   State  Library,  Augusta. 

Maryland  State  Library  Commission — B.  C.  Steiner,  secre- 
tary, Enoch  Pratt  Free  Library,  Baltimore. 

Massachusetts — C.  F.  D.  Belden,  chairman,  State  Library, 
Boston. 

Michigan — Mrs.  M.  C.  Spencer,  secretary,  State  Library, 
Lansing. 

Minnesota — Miss  Clara  F.  Baldwin,  secretary,  State  Cap- 
itol, St.  Paul. 

Missouri — Miss  Elizabeth  B.  Wales,  secretary,  Jefferson 
City. 

Nebraska — Miss  Charlotte  Templeton,  secretary,  Lincoln. 

New  Hampshire — ^A.  H.  Chase,  secretary.  State  Library, 
Concord. 


ESSENTIALS  IN  LIBRARY  ADMINISTRATION  Q^ 

New  Jersey — H.  C.  Buchanan,  secretary,  State  Library, 
Trenton. 

New  York  Educational  Department:  Educational  exten- 
sion division — W,  R.  Eastman,  chief,  State  Library, 
Albany. 

North   Carolina — Minnie  W.  Leatherman,  secretary,  Raleigh. 

North  Dakota — Mrs.  Minnie  C.  Budlong,  secretary,  Bis- 
marck. 

Ohio — John  H.  Newman,  secretary.  State  Library,  Colum- 
bus. 

Oregon — Miss  Cornelia  Marvin,  secretary,  Salem. 

Pennsylvania — T.  L.  Montgomery,  secretary,  State  Library, 
Harrisburg. 

Tennessee — Mrs.  Pearl  W.  Kelley,  organizer,  Nashville. 

Texas — E.  W.  Winkler,  secretary.  State  Library,  Austin. 

Utah — H.  R.  Driggs,  secretary,  Salt  Lake  City. 

Vermont — Miss  Rebecca  W.  Wright,  secretary,  Montpelier. 

Washington — J.  H.  Hitt,  secretary,  Olympia. 

Wisconsin — M.  S.  Dudgeon,  secretary,  Madison. 

LIBRARY  ASSOCIATIONS 

The  American  Library  Association.  The  American  Li- 
brary Association  was  organized  in  Philadelphia  in  1876. 
It  purposes  are  "the  formation  of  library  interests,  the 
interchange  of  experiences  and  opinion,  the  obtaining  of 
larger  results  from  library  labor  and  expenditure,  and  the 
advancement  of  the  profession  of  librarianship.  The  Asso- 
ciation also  aims:  (1)  By  organization  and  force  of  num- 
bers to  effect  needed  reforms  and  improvements,  most  of 
which  could  not  be  brought  about  by  individual  effort;  (2) 
By  co-operation,  to  lessen  labor  and  expense  of  library  ad- 
ministration; (3)  By  discussion  and  comparison  to  utilize 
the  combined  experiments  and  experience  of  the  profes- 
sion in  perfecting  plans  and  methods  and  in  solving  dif- 
ficulties; (4)  By  meetings  and  correspondence,  to  pro- 
mote acquaintance  and  esprit  de  corps." 

In  addition  to  benefits  derived  from  the  formal  proceed- 
ings and  the  papers  presented  at  the  various  sessions, 


98  ESSENTIALS  IN  LIBRARY  ADMINISTRATION 

those  in  attendance  find  a  direct,  practical  value  in  the 
Informal  discussions  and  individual  conferences  made  pos- 
sible by  the  intervals  between  sessions.  Similar  opportu- 
nities are  given  by  the  necessity  for  traveling  together  to 
and  from  places  of  meeting  and  at  the  various  social  occa- 
sions connected  with  the  conferences. 

The  Association  has  a  membership  of  over  two  thousand, 
and  the  place  of  its  annual  meeting  is  purposely  varied  to 
reach  different  sections  of  the  country.  Every  effort  should 
be  made  by  librarians  to  attend  this  gathering.  The  annual 
fee  for  membership  is  two  dollars  ($3  the  first  year). 
This  fee  entitles  members  to  the  bi-monthly  Bulletin  of 
the  Association,  one  number  of  which  consists  of  the  pro- 
ceedings of  the  annual  conference  and  which  are  from  year 
to  year  a  veritable  compendium  of  library  progress. 

The  headquarters  oflQlces  are  at  78  East  Washington 
Street,  Chicago. 

State  Associations.  The  State  Associations  are  in  a 
measure  the  outgrowth  of  the  American  Library  Associa- 
tion, and  each  aims  to  do  for  its  own  state  what  the  Ameri- 
can Library  Association  does  for  the  entire  country.  It  Is 
an  impossibility  for  the  majority  of  librarians  in  small 
towns  to  attend  the  meetings  of  the  American  Library  As- 
sociation, and  it  is  all  the  more  important  that  they  should 
attend  the  state  meetings.  These  meetings  are  of  the 
greatest  value  both  to  trustees  and  librarians.  Library 
boards  should  always  send  their  librarian,  and  pay  her 
expenses,  and  the  trustees  themselves  should  attend  as 
far  as  possible. 

Local  Associations.  It  is  often  wise  to  hold  occasional 
meetings  of  people  interested  in  library  work  in  different 
parts  of  the  state  for  the  people  who  find  It  difficult  to 
attend  the  larger  gatherings.  In  this  way  the  needs  of 
special  localities  may  receive  consideration.  Where  the 
local  library  staff  is  large,  staff-meetings  are  held  for 
mutual  helpfulness  and  inspiration. 


INDEX 


Abbott,  A.  H.,  93. 
Access  to  shelves,  14. 
Accession  record,  43-47,  89. 
Acme  pocket,  70,  92. 
Advertising  the  library,  36-37. 
Age  limit  for  borrowers,  19. 
Agreement  blank,  66,  67. 
A.  L.  A.  Booklist,  25,  48. 
A.  L.  A.  Catalog,  (1904)  20,  25, 

26,  48. 
A.  L.  A.  Catalog,  (1904-1911) 

20,  26. 
A.  L.  A.  Catalog  rules,  94. 
A.    L.    A.    Manual   of    library 

economy,  93. 
A.  L.  A.  Publishing  Board,  64. 
American  Library  Association,97 . 
Ames'  Comprehensive  index,  32. 
Ammonia,  43,  88. 
Analytical  subject  card,  61. 
Annual  report,  37-39. 
Application  blanlc,  66,  67,  90. 
Apprentice  system,  10. 
Architect,  12. 
Assistants,  9. 
Associations,  97-98. 
Author  card,  60. 
Author  number,  47,  48. 
Author  table,  Cutter,  47, 89, 94. 

Bills,  33,  46. 

Binders,  periodical,  93. 

Binding,  73-77. 

Blanks  and  forms,  66-73. 

Blotters,  91. 

Blue  Books,  30. 


Board  of  directors,  5-7. 

Book  binding,  73-77. 

Book  buying,  24-26,  39-41. 

Book  card,  65,  90. 

Book  cases,  13,  81-83,  86. 

Book  committee,  24, 

Book-keeping,  33-36. 

Booklist,  A.  L.  A.,  25. 

Bookman,  25. 

Book  marks,  37. 

Book  numbers,  48. 

Book  plate,  42. 

Book  pocket,  42,  70,  90.     . 

Book  reviews,  25. 

Book  selection,  19-20,  24-27. 

Book  supports,  87,  91. 

Book  truck,  86. 

Books  for  boys  and  girls,  19-20. 

Borrowers,  cards,  65,  68,  90. 

guarantee,  67. 

non-fiction,  68,  90. 

non-resident,  18. 

registration,  18,  38. 

rules,  18. 

special  privilege,  68,  90. 
Branches  and  stations,  18-19. 
Brett,  W.  H.,  Open  shelf  ques- 
tion, 14. 
Brushes,  43,  89. 
Budget,  library,  33. 
Building,  12. 
Bulletin  boards,  86-87. 
Bulletins,  illustrated,  22-24. 
Bulletins,  printed,  64-65. 
Business  side  of  a  library,  33. 
By-laws  for  boards  of  director8,6. 


100 


ESSENTIALS  IN  LIBRARY  ADMINISTRATION 


Call  number,  43,  47,  48. 
Card  catalog,  58-64,  90. 
Cases,  see  Book  cases;   Cata- 
log case. 
Cash  book,  35. 
Cash  drawer,  84. 
Catalog,  card,  58-64,  90. 

printed,  63,  64. 

typewritten,  58. 

written,  69. 
Catalog  case,  85,  90. 
Catalog  rules,  94. 
Cataloging,  Crawford,  94. 
Cataloging  for  small  libraries, 

Hitchler,  94. 
Chairs,  83-84. 
Charging  tray,  84,  90. 
Children's  books,  3,  19,  20,  49. 

comer,  19. 

hours,  16. 

reading,  3,  19. 

room,  19. 
Circulation  statistics,  71. 
City  reports,  30. 
Civil  service  examinations,  9. 
Clarke  and  Baker,  92. 
Classification,  47-55. 
Cleaning  frame,  16. 
Cleaning  the  library,  15,  16. 
Cleveland    Public    Library,    li- 
brary league,  20. 
Cloak  rooms,  16,  88. 
Closet,  16. 

Commissions,  library,  95-97. 
Committees  of  Ubrary  boards,  6. 
Comprehensive    index,    U.     S. 

documents,  32. 
Contagious  diseases,  78-80. 
Corticine,  80. 


Crawford,  E.,  Cataloging,  94. 
Cross  reference  cards,  62. 
Cumulative  Book  iodex,  25. 
Cutter,  C.  A.,    Author  table, 

47,  94. 
Cutter  Expansive  classification, 

47,  53-55,  94. 
Rules  for  dictionary  catalog,94. 

Date  guides,  91. 

Daters,  91. 

Decoration    of    library    rooms, 
13,  80. 

Delivery  desk,  84. 

Democrat  Printing  Co.,  38,  90, 
92. 

Dennison  labels,  42,  88,  93. 

Desks,  84. 

Dewey,  Melvil.     Decimal  clas- 
sification, 49-52,  89,  94. 

Dial,  25. 

Dictionary  catalog,  58. 

Directors,  6-7. 

Disinfection  of  books,  78. 
library,  79. 

Documents,  pubUc,  30-33. 

Docvunents,  state,  30 

Drexel  Institute  Library  school, 
11. 

Embossing  stamp,  42,  88. 
Erasers,  91. 

Expansive    classification,    47, 
53-55,  94. 

Fines,  7,  66,  69. 

Floors,  80. 

Foreign  books,  27. 

Formahn,  79. 

Furniture  and  fittings,  80-88. 


ESSENTIALS  IN  LIBRARY  ADMINISTRATION 


101 


Gifts,  42,  46. 
Globe-Wernicke  Co.,  92. 
Guarantor's  pledge,  66,  67. 
Guide  cards,  89,  90. 
Guide    to    reference    books, 
Kroeger,  26,  94. 
Supplement,  Mudge,  26. 

Heating,  15. 

Heinn  Co.,  92. 

Hints  to  small  libraries,  Plum- 

mer,  1,  26,  93. 
Holiday  opening,  17. 
Hours   and   days   of    opening, 

16-17. 

Illinois      University       Library 

school,  11. 
Indiana  Summer  Library  school, 

11. 
Ink,  91. 

India  ink,  43,  89. 
Ink  weU,  91. 
Insurance,  36. 
Inventory,  36 
Iowa  Summer  Library  school, 

11. 

Janitor,  15. 

Johnston,  W.  G.  &  Co.,  93. 

Kroeger,  A.  B.    Guide  to  refer- 
ence books,  26,  94. 

Labels,  book,  42,  88. 

shelf,  87. 
League,  library,  20. 
Leslie  Paper  Co.,  92. 
Librarian,  7-9,  11-12. 
Library,  arrangement,  12. 

establishment,  4. 


Library,  local  interest,  4-5. 

location,  12. 

necessity  for,  3. 

organization  of,  3,  93. 
Library  and  the  child,  3,  19-20. 
Library  and  the  school,  21. 
Library  architect,  12. 
Library  assistants,  9. 
Library  associations,  96-98. 
Library  branches,  18. 
Library  budget,  33. 
Library  building,  12. 
Library  Bureau,  44,  45,  46,  90, 

92. 
Library  commissions,  95-97. 
Library  index,  28. 
Library  journal,  8,  94. 
Library  leagues,  20. 
Library  literature,  93. 
Library    of    Congress    printed 

catalog  cards,  56,  63-64. 
Library  school  rules  for  cata- 
loging, 56,  90,  94. 
Library  schools,  11,  12. 
Library  stations,  18. 
Library  talks,  20. 
Library  training,  11. 
Library  trxistees,  5-6. 
Lighting,  14-15,  81. 
Loan  system,  65-66,  71,  90. 
Local  history  collections,  29. 
Lost  cards,  18. 

Macey-Wemicke  Co.,  92. 
Magazine  binders,  93 
Magazines,  27-28,  75,  92-93. 
Mechanical   preparation   of 

books,  41-43,  88-89. 
Mending,  24,  78,  91. 


102 


ESSENTIALS  IN  LIBRARY  ADMINISTRATION 


Minnesota    Summer    Library 

school,  11. 
Monthly    catalog    of    public 

documents,  32,  33. 
Multum  in  Parvo  Binder  Co., 

78,  92. 

Nation,  25. 

National  Educational  Associa- 
tion, library  section,  21. 

Necessity  for  free  libraries,  3. 

Newspaper  lists,  36. 

Newspaper  rack,  86. 

New    York    Public    Library 
school,  12. 

New  York  State  Library,  Bul- 
letin of  best  books,  48,  63. 

New  York  State  Library  school, 
11. 

New    York    Times    Saturday 
Review,  25. 

Non-residents,  18. 

Onion  skin  paper,  78,  93. 
Open  shelves,  14. 
Opening  a  book,  41. 
Order  routine,  39-41,  88. 
Over-due  books,  18. 

Pad,  stamp,  91. 
Pamphlets,  28-29. 
Paper  knife,  42,  88. 
Paste,  89. 
Pencil  daters,  91. 
Pencils,  91. 
Penholders,  91. 
Pens,  91. 

Perforating  stamp,  42. 
Periodical  case,  85. 
Periodical  record,  92. 
Periodicals,  27-28,  75. 


Photograph  case,  86. 
Picture  bulletins,  22. 
Pictures,  wall,  13. 
Pittsburgh,  bulletin,  48. 
Carnegie  Public  Library,  21, 

48. 
Story  hour,  21. 
Plummer,    M.    W.      Hints   to 

small  libraries,  1,  26,  93. 
Poole's  Index,  abridged  edition, 

28. 
Poore's  Descriptive  catalog,  32. 
Pratt  Institute  Library  school, 

11. 
Printed  binding  slips,  91. 
Printed  case  labels,  91. 
Printed  catalog  cards,  63-64. 
Printed  lists,  36,  64. 
Pubhc  documents,  30-33. 
Public  libraries,  (monthly)  8, 94. 
Publishers'  weekly,  25. 

Reader's    guide    to    periodical 

literature,  28. 
Reading  habits,  25. 
Reference  books,  26-27. 
Reference  books.  Guide,  Kroe- 

ger,  26,  94. 
Reference  work,  26. 
Registration  book,  38,  66,  90. 
Renewal  of  borrowed  book,  18. 
Renting  collections  of  popular 

books,  29. 
Reports,  library,  37-39. 
Reports,  town  and  city,  30. 
Reserve  books,  18. 
Reviews,  25. 
Roller  shelves,  82. 
Rubber  date  sets,  91. 


ESSENTIALS  IN  LIBRARY  ADMINISTRATION 


103 


Rubber  eraser,  91. 
Rubber  stamp,  42. 
Rubber  tips,  83-84. 
Rules  and  regulations,  17-18. 

Salaries,  8. 

Salem  Public  Library  Bulletin, 

48. 
School  duplicate  collections,  22. 
Schools,  hbrary,  11-12. 
Schools  and  libraries,  21. 
Screen,  86. 

Selection  of  books,  19-20, 24-27. 
Seven  day  book  rule,  18,  67. 

slips,  67,  91. 
Shears,  91. 

Shelf  label  holder,  87,  91. 
Shelf  list,  55-57,  63,  89. 
Shellac  varnish  for  labels,  43, 

89. 
Shelving,  13,  81-83. 
Signs,  13,  15. 
Simplified  library  school  rules 

for  cataloging,  45,  56. 
Sloping  cases,  86. 
Special  privilege  cards,  18,  68. 
Stacks,  13. 
Stamps,  42. 
State  documents,  30. 
State  library  associations,  97. 
State    library    commissions, 

94-96. 
Stations,  18. 
Statistics,  38-39,  '47,  71. 
Statistics  sheets,  90. 
Steel  eraser,  91. 
Story  hour,  21. 
Subject  card,  61. 
Subject  headings,  58,  90,  94. 


Summer     schools     for     library 

training,  11. 
Sunday  opening,  17. 
Supplies,  88-93. 
Syracuse    University    I^ibrary 

school,  12. 

Tables,  14,  83. 
Teachers'  cards,  22. 
Teachers,  co-operation  of,  21. 
Temporary  residents,  18. 
Time  limit  for  borrowing,  18. 
Title  card,  60. 
Toilet  conveniences,  16. 
Training,  Library,  11-12. 
Trays,  84,  90. 
Truck,  book,  86. 
Trustees,  5,  6. 
Two-book  system,  17- 
Typewriter,  69. 

Vacations,  8. 
Ventilation,  15. 
Volimteer  service,  10, 
Vouchers,  33,  34. 

Walls,  decoration,  80. 

Wash  bowl,  16. 

Western  Reserve  Library  school, 
12. 

Windows,  15. 

Wisconsin  Smnmer  Library 
school,  11. 

Wisconsin  University  Library 
school,  12. 

Withdrawal  record,  36,  72,  73, 
89. 

Women  on  library  boards,  5. 

World's  Library  Congress  pa- 
pers, 93. 


5.C. 

FOREIGN  BOOK  LISTS 

French,  by  Jean  Charlemagne  Bracq,  25  cents, 

French  fiction,  by  Sophie  Corau  and  William  Beer.  5  cents. 

German,  by  Emma  Gattiker,  50  cents. 

Hungarian,  by  J.  Maud  Campbell,  15  cents. 

Xorwegian  and  Danish,  by  Arne  Kildal,  25  cents. 

Swwli.sh,  by  Valfrid  Palmgren,  25  ceut.s. 

LIBRARY  HANDBOOKS 

Paper,  15  cent.s  each 

1.  Essentittls  in  library'  adminir^^r.i  M;ss  ]  ,  E. 
Steams. 

2.  Cataloging  for  small  libraries,  by  Theresa  liitchler. 

3.  Management  of  traveling  hbraries,  by  Edna  D.  Bullock. 

5.  Binding  for  email  libraries,  prepared  by  the  A.  I-.  A. 
Committee  on  Bookbinding. 

6.  Mending  and  repair  of  books,  by  Margaret  W.  Brown. 

7.  U.  S.  Government  documents  in  small  Ubraries,  by  .J,  I. 
Wypr,  .Tr. 

A.  L.  A.  MANUAL  OF  LIBRARY  ECONOMY 

The  following  chapters,  each  forming  a  separate  pamphlet, 
are  now  rea<^ly.  Price  10  cents  each;  4  cents  each  in  lots  of  50  or 
more: 

1.  American  hbrary  history,  by  C.  K.  Bolioii. 

2.  Library  of  Congress,  by  W.  W.  Bishop. 

4.  College  and  university  library,  by  J.  T.  W     v    Tr 
9.   Library  legislation,  by  W.  F.  Yust. 

12  Administration  of  a  pubKc  library,  by  A.  E.  Bostwick. 

15.  Branch  Ubraries  and  oijvr  di.stributing  agencies,  by 
Linda  .\.  Eastman. 

17  Order  and  accession  department,  by  F.  F.  Hopper. 

20.  Shelf  department,  by  Josephine  A.  Rathbone. 

22.  Reference  department,  by  E.  C.  Richardson. 

2G.  Bookbinding,  I\v  A   L.  n.iilfv. 


UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA  LIBRARY 

Los  Angeles 
This  book  is  DUE  on  the  last  date  stamped  below. 


NOV  1  9  1954, 
WAK  2  0  1959 


Form  L9-50TO-11, '50 (2554)444 


570  454     9 


